Sentiment in the ex-China segment of the seaborne coking coal market has deteriorated further following a trade involving a cargo of premium materials that was concluded below prevailing levels.A July-laycan cargo of branded materials changed hands on trading platform Global Coal at $197 per tonne fob Australia late on Thursday, various sources told Fastmarkets on Friday June 7. The transaction wa...Read More
Despite the world of trade and economic weakness still very much in focus, markets have generally managed to do some consolidating, although with the gold price holding above $1,230 per oz, haven assets remain in demand.We still see the global economy as wounded and it will need a US-China trade deal to see it recover. US President Donald Trump said he would decide whether to extend tariffs on US...Read More
The following Fastmarkets minor metals prices changed on Friday June 7:Minor metalsCadmium MB free market min 99.95%, cents/lb: 118-128 cents per lb from 120-130 centsChromium MB free market alumino-thermic, $/tonne: $7,750-7,950 per tonne from...Read More
Stainless steel prices in Europe were under pressure this week from lower June alloy surcharges and weak demand, sources told Fastmarkets on Friday June 7.Prices decreased only modestly this week, however, and mills were determined to resist the pressure and prevent any further price reductions, according to distributors.Fastmarkets assessment for grade-304 stainless steel cold-rolled (CR) sheet t...Read More
The following Fastmarkets non-ferrous European free market scrap prices changed on Friday June 7:The following Fastmarkets non-ferrous European free market scrap...Read More
The three-month lead price on the London Metal Exchange climbed by just under 2% at the close of trading on Thursday June 6, closing just below $1,900 per tonne amid news of Nyrstar's declaration of force majeure at its Port Pirie smelter in Australia. The force majeure affects lead contracts for deliveries from Port Pirie after the blast furnace failed at the end of May. Representatives at t...Read More
A potential global ban on internal combustion engines (ICEs) by 2030 could facilitate a growth in nickel's share of the electric vehicle battery market to 80%, Al Bedwell of automotive intelligence provider LMC Automotive said at the 7th International Nickel Conference on Thursday June 6. The potential for a ban of traditional ICE vehicles by 2030 is driven by crackdowns on carbon emissions in Eur...Read More
The first deal for third-quarter aluminium ingot supply to Japan has been concluded at a cif premium of $108 per tonne basis main Japanese ports (MJP), nearly 3% above the second-quarter benchmark, market sources told Fastmarkets on Thursday June 6. The deal between a Japanese aluminium trading firm and an overseas supplier was agreed very early in the negotiations process and slightly above marke...Read More
Fastmarkets proposes changes to the publication day for two weekly Chinese ferro-silicon prices from Friday to Wednesday. The two price assessments include the ferro-silicon MB Chinese free market min 75% Si in warehouse China price and the ferro-silicon export min 75% Si fob China main ports $/tonne price.Fastmarkets is proposing this change to align the publication time of its China ferro-silico...Read More
Global zinc and lead producer Nyrstar has declared force majeure on contracts to supply lead from its Port Pirie smelter in Australia, a spokesman for the company said on Thursday June 6. The company called the force majeure after the blast furnace at the Port Pirie smelter failed at the end of May. It is "not possible to say at...Read More
Key data from the Wednesday June 5 pricing session in China. Key driversChinese cobalt sulfate price stabilizes due to producers' efforts to keep their offer prices steady. Consumer demand remains weak amid uncertainty surrounding electric vehicle (EV) sales in the second half of 2019. Chinese battery and battery materials manufacturers have slowed their operations while they await greater clarity...Read More
Key data from the Wednesday June 5 pricing session in Europe.Key drivers Thin demand in Europe for both grades of the material.A call from the antimony branch of the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association asking major producers in the country to reduce output in a bid to reverse price weakness could...Read More
Turkish mills booked no deep-sea cargoes on Thursday June 5, due to the Eid al-Fitr public holiday, sources told Fastmarkets.The market will remain subdued for the remainder of the week while Turkey marks the end of the period of abstinence for the Islamic holy month of...Read More
One disappointment after another in the world of trade and economic data, with the only relief coming in the form of potential for easier monetary policy, makes for a gloomy outlook.The outlook could be saved if a trade deal arrives soon, otherwise it looks like the global economy is being wounded as it suffers one blow after another.International Monetary Fund cuts its 2019 economic growth foreca...Read More
Indonesia will continue to ramp up its production of refined nickel in anticipation of demand for material to be used in electric vehicle (EV) batteries, senior Macquarie consultant Jim Lennon told delegates at the 7th International Nickel Conference in Amsterdam on Thursday June 6.Macquarie has forecast that global nickel supply must grow by 1.7 million tonnes per year between 2018 and 2030. This...Read More
Trade log for battery-grade lithium carbonate in China including trades, bids and offers reported to Fastmarkets. Unless otherwise stated, all prices are per tonne on an ex-works China basis. Delivered prices are netted back. Fastmarkets prices Click here for Fastmarkets price assessment for lithium carbonate min 99.5% Li2CO3 battery grade, spot price range, ex-works China, yuan per tonne. Fastmar...Read More
A potential global ban on internal combustion engines (ICEs) by 2030 could facilitate a growth in nickel's share of the electric vehicle battery market to 80%, Al Bedwell of automotive intelligence provider LMC Automotive said at the 7th International Nickel Conference on Thursday June 6. The potential for a ban of traditional ICE vehicles by 2030 is driven by crackdowns on carbon emissions in Eur...Read More
European steelmakers have called for the European Commission (EC) to review its decision to liberalize its import safeguard measures by increasing quota volumes by 5% each year, Fastmarkets has learned.The current safeguard mechanism will increase the level of tariff-free quotas for each product category by 5% after each year. The first liberalization will take place on July 1, 2019 - the end of t...Read More
China's hot-rolled coil prices weakened again on Thursday June 6 on thin trading amid bearish sentiment and rising inventory levels.DomesticEastern China (Shanghai): 3,840-3,850 yuan ($556-557) per tonne, down 30 yuan per tonneNorthern China (Tianjin): 3,790-3,800 yuan per tonne, down 10 yuan per tonneTransaction prices fell nationwide despite mills keeping their offers steady, with buyers being r...Read More
Here are five Fastmarkets MB stories you might have missed on Thursday June 6 that are worth another look.A potential global ban on internal combustion engines in 2030 could facilitate growth in nickel's share of the electric vehicle battery market to 80%, Al Bedwell, of automotive intelligence provider LMC Automotive, said at the 7th International Nickel Conference on Thursday June 6. A grou...Read More