A two-day lockdown announced on Sunday night in the Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) Haut Katanga province has heightened concerns that the spread of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) could affect the supply of copper and cobalt coming from the region. The lockdown prohibits all activity in the province, which, as well as being a production hub, provides a crucial export route for raw material...Read More
Compagnie de Tifnout Tiranimine (CTT) has suspended production at its cobalt mine and plant in Morocco amid a 14-day lockdown in the country aimed at stemming the spread of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), sources close to the matter have confirmed. The shutdown started on Tuesday March 24 and is initially slated to last for two weeks, Fastmarkets understands. The duration could be subject to an...Read More
Producer South32 is in discussions to keep its Hillside aluminium smelter in South Africa running despite the country entering lockdown in response to the coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak.A spokesperson for South32 told Fastmarkets that nothing had yet been agreed with the government."[We are] still in discussions with the government at the moment and nothing is confirmed," a spokesperson said in...Read More
Turkey has requested the intervention of the World Trade Organization's Dispute Settlement Body in connection with steel safeguard measures introduced by the European Union.On Thursday, March 19, the WTO, said that a Turkish delegation had notified the organization that Turkey was deeply concerned by the safeguard measures imposed by the EU on imports of certain steel products...Read More
United States politicians agreed a $2-trillion stimulus package to support the US economy during the ongoing novel coronavirus (nCoV 2019) pandemic, and markets, especially equity markets, have reacted well. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) closed up by 11.4% on Tuesday March 24, while Asian Pacific equity indices followed up that positive performance with gains of between 2.7% and 8% this...Read More
U.S. equity index futures were lower this morning. S&P 500 futures were down 27 points in pre-opening trade. Index futures were virtually unchanged following release of the February Durable Goods Orders report at 8:30 AM EDT. Consensus was a decline of 0.8% versus an upwardly revised gain of 0.1% in January. Actual was an increase of 1.2%. Excluding Transportation Orders, consensus was a drop...Read More
ZINCMINI TIPSZincmini Tips – Zinc Mini Buy Call 224b given at 144.20 CMP 145.60. Low risk taker book 1.40 x 2 lot = 2.80 Points / Rs 2800 Profit. Risk Taker HOLDCALL ID 224b : ZincMini Calls - BUY 2 lot ZincMini March at CMP 144.20 Add more if price 143.10 with SL 141.90 for Target 146 - 147.50 Read More
ZincMini Calls – BUY 2 lot ZincMini March at CMP 144.20 Add more if price 143.10 with SL 141.90 for Target 146 – 147.50 Read More
Here are five Fastmarkets stories you might have missed on Monday March 23 that are worth another look.ArcelorMittal is idling two blast furnaces, in Indiana and Canada, due to the spread of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and its impact on end markets.South Africa will enter a 21-day nationwide lockdown from midnight on Thursday March 26 and ordered the country's metals and mining operations to...Read More
Metals, mining and alloy producers have been scenario-planning in response to the novel coronavirus. The South African government appears to have just removed all but one option.President Cyril Ramaphosa ordered the country's mineral resources industry to shut underground mines and furnaces from Thursday March 26, unless they can be operated remotely. The shutdown will last for three weeks an...Read More
The London Metal Exchange three-month nickel price continued its downturn up to the close of trading on Monday March 23, falling over 3.5% and dipping below nearby support levels, while tin futures failed to hold on to Friday's gains. Nickel's underlying price on the LME closed at $10,880 per tonne on Monday afternoon, its lowest closing price since December 2018, while turnover was high at more t...Read More
Here are five Fastmarkets stories you might have missed on Monday March 23 that are worth another look.ArcelorMittal is idling two blast furnaces, in Indiana and Canada, due to the spread of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and its impact on end markets.South Africa will enter a 21-day nationwide lockdown from midnight on Thursday March 26 and ordered the country's metals and mining operations to...Read More
Fastmarkets will continue to provide the price data, news and analytics you rely on in these turbulent times.Dear Colleagues,First and foremost, we hope that you, your family, your friends and your colleagues are keeping well in these uncertain times. Covid-19 has disrupted our economy, our normal work patterns and, for many, our lives. Before I speak to the status of our business continuity...Read More
Metals, mining and alloy producers have been scenario-planning in response to the novel coronavirus. The South African government appears to have just removed all but one option.President Cyril Ramaphosa ordered the country's mineral resources industry to shut underground mines and furnaces from Thursday March 26, unless they can be operated remotely. The shutdown will last for three weeks an...Read More
Key pricing data from the alumina index, fob Australia pricing session on Monday March 23. Key drivers Fastmarkets' daily alumina index, fob Australia, to $272.41 per tonne on Monday from $275.47 per tonne on Friday March 20. The index is now at its lowest level since May 18, 2017, when the price was $272.10 per tonne. Marks a...Read More
The spread of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outside China has brought with it logistical restrictions, a reconsideration of raw material requirements and concerns over possible disruptions to supply in the coming weeks. Here are five things under consideration by the minor metals and ferro-alloys markets while the situation develops. Adjustments to delivery and payment terms to mitigate risk T...Read More
Here are five Fastmarkets stories you might have missed on Monday March 23 that are worth another look.ArcelorMittal is idling two blast furnaces, in Indiana and Canada, due to the spread of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and its impact on end markets.South Africa will enter a 21-day nationwide lockdown from midnight on Thursday March 26 and ordered the country's metals and mining operations to...Read More
The spread of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is causing disruption to immediate supply chains and future demand forecasts across the technology and consumer electronics sector. Since the outbreak gathered pace in January 2020, companies including Apple and Samsung have closed plants, shifted production, and in some cases, revised revenue forecasts. The far-reaching effects of the virus on the g...Read More
The Turkish deep-sea scrap import market started the week in silence on Monday March 23, with some fearing the worst is yet to come with regard to the impact of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), sources told Fastmarkets.The market has been quiet since a $23.90-per-tonne day-on-day price drop on Wednesday March 18, following news of a fresh cargo.Since then, market participants have turned increas...Read More
Turkish domestic auto bundle scrap prices have fallen sharply over the past week, in line with declining scrap import values, with some mills stopping their scrap purchases, sources said on Monday March 23.Turkish scrap import prices fell by 9% last week, amid the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) pandemic.Fastmarkets' daily index for steel scrap, HMS 1&2 (80:20 mix), US origin, cfr Turkey, was $249.0...Read More