A summary of Belgian battery materials company Umicore's results for the first six months of 2020, as stated in its half-year report published on Friday July 31.In brief Revenues from the Energy & Surface Technologies division were down by 8% year-on-year in the first half of 2020, to ?,?557 million ($656 million), due to the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on sales of electric vehicles (EVs). Ear...Read More
The Covid-19 pandemic has hampered global trade in an unprecedented way, with countries across the world imposing trade restrictions in their attempts to contain the spread of the virus, and with production and consumption being scaled back due to the weakened economic activity.As a result, world trade volumes showed a decrease of nearly 17% in the first five months of 2020, according to the lates...Read More
The cobalt alloy grade, in-whs Rotterdam trade log, including business, bids and offers reported to Fastmarkets.Fastmarkets publishes trades logs for its key price assessments and indices to bring more transparency into the markets it covers and the pricing process it applies. Fastmarkets assessed...Read More
The cobalt standard grade, in-whs Rotterdam trade log, including business, bids and offers reported to Fastmarkets. Fastmarkets publishes trades logs for its key price assessments and indices to bring more transparency into the markets it covers and the pricing process it applies. Fastmarkets assessed cobalt standard grade, in-whs Rotterdam at $13.90-14.35/lb on Monday August 3, 2020. ...Read More
China's domestic bismuth price has maintained its strong market level in a tight spot market, after picking up in mid-July, trading sources said.Fastmarkets' weekly price assessment for bismuth 99.99% Bi min, in-whs China was at 37,000-38,500 yuan ($5,306-5,521) per tonne on Friday July 31, up by 1,500 yuan per tonne or 4.1% from 36,000-36,500 yuan per tonne a week earlier. Market participants ha...Read More
The latest forecast from Fastmarkets' team of analysts is ready to view.As we enter the summer season across the northern hemisphere, almost half a year has passed since the Covid-19 pandemic began to seriously affect Europe and the United States.One would not really be able to tell that such a dramatic event had occurred by looking at stainless steel prices, however, because they are more or less...Read More
The metals and equity indices were headed in different directions this morning, Tuesday August 4, with equities up and metals down, but good data may well push metals prices higher as the day progresses - especially given better-than-expected US vehicle sales in July.* Nasdaq set another record high on Monday.* US total vehicle sales rose to 14.5 million units annualized in July, sales were expect...Read More
Corn ETN (CORN) moved below $11.61 setting an intermediate downtrend.Pre-opening Comments for Tuesday August 4thU.S. equity index futures were lower this morning. S&P 500 futures were down 13 points in pre-opening trade.Mosaic advanced $1.32 to $15.00 after reporting higher than consensus second quarter sales and earnings.Take Two Interactive advanced $8.32 to $176.00 after reporting higher th...Read More
Here are five Fastmarkets stories you might have missed on Friday July 31 that are worth another look.Pig iron export prices from Brazil continued to climb in the week to July 31 on new sales to China and the United States.Chilean copper producer Codelco will restart...Read More
Here are five Fastmarkets stories you might have missed on Friday July 31 that are worth another look.Pig iron export prices from Brazil continued to climb in the week to July 31 on new sales to China and the United States.Chilean copper producer Codelco will restart...Read More
Here are five Fastmarkets stories you might have missed on Friday July 31 that are worth another look.Pig iron export prices from Brazil continued to climb in the week to July 31 on new sales to China and the United States.Chilean copper producer Codelco will restart...Read More
Here are five Fastmarkets stories you might have missed on Friday July 31 that are worth another look.Pig iron export prices from Brazil continued to climb in the week to July 31 on new sales to China and the United States.Chilean copper producer Codelco will restart...Read More
Here are five Fastmarkets stories you might have missed on Friday July 31 that are worth another look.Pig iron export prices from Brazil continued to climb in the week to July 31 on new sales to China and the United States.Chilean copper producer Codelco will restart...Read More
The metals and equity indices were mixed this morning, Monday August 3, with numerous crosscurrents affecting the markets.Data this morning showed China’s Caixin manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) climbed to 52.8 in July from 51.2 a month earlier, while Japan’s manufacturing PMI rebounded to 45.2 from 42.6 over the same comparison.But the continuing spread of the Covid-1...Read More
Target (TGT) an S&P 100 stock moved above $125.97 extending an intermediate uptrend. NVIDIA (NVDA), a NASDAQ 100 stock moved above $431.69 to an all-time high extending an intermediate uptrend.Natural Gas ETN (UNG) moved above $11.27 completing a double bottom pattern.Pre-opening Comments for Monday August 3rdU.S. equity index futures were higher this morning. S&P 500 futures were up 20 po...Read More
Aluminium billet premiums inched up in the United States, Europe and Brazil on Friday July 31 due to stronger demand, while weak demand in Asia kept the Thailand billet premium unchanged.US premium up near nine-month highItaly, Germany premiums inch upBrazil premium up on gradual demand recoveryThailand premium holds in quiet conditionsUS premium climbsFastmarkets assessed the aluminium 6063 extru...Read More
The three-month zinc price on the London Metal Exchange was the standout performer at the close of trading on Friday July 31, breaching nearby resistance in a continued incline over the day, while sideways trading in LME copper futures kept the metal's outright price firmly near the $6,400 per tonne threshold. Zinc's outright price on the LME closed at $2,318.50 per tonne on Friday afternoon, with...Read More
Fastmarkets' copper concentrates treatment and refining charge (TC/RC) index retreated on Friday July 31 due to continued supply concerns related to Covid-19 shutdowns after more copper producers cut their 2020 production guidance this week. Traders are offering clean copper concentrates into the Chinese market in the high $40s per tonne / 4cents per lb and deals have been heard at that level. A...Read More
Key data from the pricing sessions in Asia, Europe and the United States for the week ending Friday July 31.China - Seaborne manganese ore prices tick higher after 11 weeks of declines. Some miners held their offer prices steady for September shipments amid good buying appetite. Buyers place orders for fear of missing out on material now that prices are considered lower risk. - Portside ore prices...Read More
A summary of Peru-based miner Buenaventura's production figures and financial results for the second quarter of 2020, as stated in its earnings report published on Thursday July 30.In brief Mine production fell sharply during the second quarter from a year before, because units had to be closed to comply with the state of emergency declared by the Peruvian government in light of the Covid-19 pande...Read More