Trade log for cobalt sulfate in China including transactions, bids and offers reported to Fastmarkets MB. Unless otherwise stated, all prices are yuan per tonne on an ex-works basis. The cobalt sulfate, Co 20.5% min, China ex-works, adjustment to the low-grade cobalt low-end price is on a $ per lb basis. Fastmarkets MB prices Click here for Fastmarket MB's price assessment for cobalt sulfate, Co 2...Read More
While US-China trade talks continue, the market seems to be clinging on for an eleventh-hour deal this morning, Friday May 10, because key markets are holding up surprisingly well. But, if a deal does not miraculously emerge soon then further disappointment is likely to set in.US raises tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports to 25% China’s CSI 300 is up by 3.2%, other Asian equity m...Read More
U.S. equity index futures were lower this morning. S&P 500 futures were down 20 points in pre-opening trade after the U.S. government raised its tariffs to 25% from 10% on Chinese goods valued at $200 billion. Talks with China continue. The Shanghai Composite Index gained 3.10% to 2,939.21 in overnight trading.Index futures were virtually unchanged following release of the April Consumer Price...Read More
A summary of London Metal Exchange warrant premiums from across the globe for the week to Wednesday May 8.Please click...Read More
Chinese nickel premiums were unchanged at a 14-month high as of Tuesday May 7, according to Fastmarkets' latest assessments, in a week of multiple holidays and subdued trading.Elsewhere, the premium on European cathodes stabilized while those of briquettes continued lower. In the United States, similarly, the briquette premium dipped slightly while that of 4x5 cut cathodes was unchanged. Briquette...Read More
The three-month price of zinc on the London Metal Exchange softened by a little less than 2% at the close of trading of Wednesday May 8, with continued inflows of material into LME-registered locations in European putting pressure on prices to move lower.Volumes traded for the galvanizing metal were particularly high over the afternoon, with more than 12,900 lots changing hands by the close.The th...Read More
Copper output by Chilean state-owned producer Codelco recovered in March 2019 but remained depressed when compared with last year's figures, national copper commission Cochilco said on Wednesday May 8.The company produced 128,600 tonnes of contained copper during March, down by 18.30% from 157,400 tonnes in the corresponding month in 2018.But this decline was less pronounced than the 19.30% year-o...Read More
Norsk Hydro will aim to create a more sustainable footprint through the life cycle of its low-carbon aluminium products and solutions, the company's new president and chief executive officer, Hilde Merete Aasheim, said this week.Aasheim took up her new position at the Norwegian aluminium producer on Wednesday May 8, replacing Svein Richard Brandtz??g whose departure was announced in Marc...Read More
An overview of the minor metals markets and the reasons for any price moves.Read More
The Turkish steel mills went quiet in the deep-sea scrap markets on Wednesday May 8 due to low demand for finished steel and the country's worsening political situation, sources told Fastmarkets.The most recent cargo booking in the deep-sea trade was on May 7. A steel mill in the Iskenderun region booked a US cargo, comprising 23,000 tonnes of HMS 1&2 (80:20) at $300 per tonne and 5,000 tonnes of...Read More
Key data from the Wednesday May 8 pricing session in Europe. Key drivers The European ferro-titanium price was stable week on week, extending a steady trend for the fourth pricing session in a row.Scrap markets have been steady for the third consecutive week. Alloy supply worries are supporting prices despite low key trading activity in the week to Wednesday. Market sentiment is being...Read More
United States-origin bulk ferrous scrap is undercutting Japanese H2 heavy scrap in the Asian spot markets despite stable demand from buyers in recent weeks.Significant price drops in the US domestic market have led to a fall in export offers from the US West Coast, leading to lower bids from buyers in Asia. VietnamHeavy melting scrap 1&2 (80:20) was being offered at...Read More
Demand for flat steel in Turkey failed to improve in April, with most prices moving downward and with demand unlikely to improve significantly this month, market participants told Fastmarkets on Wednesday May 8.Local producers have filled their order books until late June, they added.The price decreases in April were because of the weak demand in both the local and export markets.Mayoral elections...Read More
China's hot-rolled coil prices weakened on Wednesday May 8 amid persistently thin trading.DomesticEastern China (Shanghai): 4,060-4,070 yuan ($599-601) per tonne, down 10-20 yuan per tonneNorthern China (Tianjin): 3,920-3,950 yuan per tonne, widening downward by 20 yuan per tonneMarket participants said mills lowered their offers during the day in response to recent days' sluggish buying.But this...Read More
Lack of demand and trading activity combined this week to put new pressure on CIS long steel export prices.The situation was aggravated by increased competition with Turkish suppliers trying to overcome difficulties related to protectionism in Europe and the United States and a weakening domestic economy. "We are about to finalize a rebar sale at $460 per tonne fob Black Sea," a Ukr...Read More
Import volumes of flat and long steel products into Brazil moved in opposite directions in April, according to figures released recently by the country's economy ministry.Imports of flat steel products fell by 25.70% year-on-year in April, to 97,534 tonnes, compared with 131,265 tonnes in April 2018.The decrease was mainly due to reduced imports of heavy plate, partially offset by higher volumes o...Read More
Prices for mesh-quality wire rod in Europe were stable this week amid limited market activity, sources told Fastmarkets on Wednesday May 8.Fastmarkets' assessment of the domestic mesh-quality wire rod price in Southern Europe was ?,?525-550 ($588-616) per tonne on May 8, unchanged for the past three weeks.The price has stayed within the range of ?,?525-560 per tonne since July 4 last year. But des...Read More
The Turkish steel mills went quiet in the deep-sea scrap markets on Wednesday May 8 due to low demand for finished steel and the country's worsening political situation, sources told Fastmarkets.The most recent cargo booking in the deep-sea trade was on May 7. A steel mill in the Iskenderun region booked a US cargo, comprising 23,000 tonnes of HMS 1&2 (80:20) at $300 per tonne and 5,000 tonnes of...Read More
Seaborne iron ore prices fell back on Wednesday May 8, following a downturn in both the futures and steel markets.MB 62% Fe Iron Ore Index: $95.57 per tonne cfr Qingdao, down $0.58 per tonne. MB 62% Fe Pilbara Blend Fines Index: $94.25 per tonne cfr Qingdao, down $0.58 per tonne. MB 62% Fe Iron Ore Index-Low Alumina: $98.29 per tonne cfr Qingdao, down $0.57 per tonne. MB 58% Fe Premium Index: $86....Read More
United States-origin bulk ferrous scrap is undercutting Japanese H2 heavy scrap in the Asian spot markets despite stable demand from buyers in recent weeks.Significant price drops in the US domestic market have led to a fall in export offers from the US West Coast, leading to lower bids from buyers in Asia. VietnamHeavy melting scrap 1&2 (80:20) was being offered at...Read More