Key data from the Wednesday December 12 pricing session in Europe. Key drivers European suppliers booked several sales in the past week, narrowing the price range to 50 cents.European market sources said there was downward market pressure from Russian suppliers, but those suppliers have reported doing deals around the middle of the current European price range.European market expected to be stabl...Read More
The following Fastmarkets minor metals prices changed on Wednesday December 12:Minor metalsCobalt MB free market high grade, $/lb: $29.90-31.40 per lb from $30.50-32.00Cobalt MB free market low grade, $/lb: $29.80-31.50 per lb from $30.30-32.00Cobalt MB China domestic, yuan/tonne: 355,000-380,000 yuan per tonne from 360,000-390,000...Read More
The following Fastmarkets noble alloys and ores prices changed on Wednesday December 12:Noble alloysFerro-molybdenum basis 65% min, in-warehouse Rotterdam, $/kg Mo: $29.20-29.40 per kg from $29.40-29.60Tungsten export...Read More
The first mechanized underground chrome production in Turkey has begun as part of a process to modernize all of the mines owned by Eti Krom and should increase the country's share of the global chrome market.Eti Krom is a subsidiary of Yildmadem Holding, Turkey's largest chromium producer. The mechanization is the initial step in a project to add 30% to Turkey's annual chrome ore production capaci...Read More
Brazilian pre-operational miner Sigma Lithium Resources expects the premium for high-quality lithium hydroxide monohydrate that goes into battery production to rise in the next few years while demand for electric vehicles (EVs) grows, vice-chairman Ana Cabral told Fastmarkets. "We believe prices for technical grade lithium hydroxide, at 56.5%, will fall further from now on, but premium for 90% con...Read More
Turkish steel producers extended their absence in the deep-sea scrap markets into Wednesday December 12 because of limited demand for finished steel products, sources told Fastmarkets MB.Mills in the country have been refraining from scrap purchases for more than two weeks now - only a single cargo has been booked since November 23.Demand for steel products, especially rebar, has been and remains...Read More
The latest bids, offers and deals in the global markets for iron ore, pig iron, direct-reduced iron and other steelmaking raw materials. Latest transaction: iron oreIron oreVale, Global Ore, 170,000 tonnes of 62% Fe Brazilian Blend fines, sold at $71 per tonne cfr China, laycan December 26-January 4.Beijing Iron Ore Trading Center (Corex), 65,000 tonnes of 65% Fe Karara Standard Magnetite...Read More
Seaborne iron ore prices increased moderately on Wednesday December 12 following a pick-up in China's spot steel prices. MB 62% Fe Iron Ore Index: $66.73 per tonne cfr Qingdao, up $0.76 per tonne. MB 62% Fe Pilbara Blend Fines Index: $66 per tonne cfr Qingdao, up $0.76 per tonne. MB 62% Fe Iron Ore Index-Low Alumina: $71 per tonne cfr Qingdao, up $1.32 per tonne. MB 58% Fe Premium Index: $59.92 pe...Read More
The launch of a high-grade iron ore derivative by the Singapore Exchange last week represents a "leap forward for the [ferrous] industry, particularly those that are exposed to the high-grade product," according to Andrew Glass, head of iron ore trading at Anglo American.SGX launched the world's first high-grade iron ore derivative contract, settled against the daily MB 65% Fe Iron Ore Index publi...Read More
Trading in the seaborne coking coal spot market picked up on Wednesday December 12 after more firm offers and bids emerged. A January-laycan cargo of unbranded materials was transacted at $219 per tonne fob Australia during a day, Fastmarkets has heard.In China, a top Australian brand with late December laycan was offered at $212 per tonne cfr China during the day, market sources said.However, no...Read More
China's ferrous futures fell during morning trading on Wednesday December 12, while sentiment remains largely bearish in both the steel and the coke physical markets.Futures closing prices - morning session Shanghai Futures Exchange May rebar: 3,341 yuan ($483.90) per tonne, down 16 yuan per tonneMay hot-rolled coil: 3,329 yuan per tonne, down 1 yuan per tonneDalian Commodity Exchange&nb...Read More
Steady demand for ferrous scrap in Asia has failed to stop the ongoing price slides in the region.There have been bookings of bulk cargoes in Vietnam, South Korea and Taiwan this week. However, prices are lower than previous weeks.A major South Korean steel mill bought at least 45,000 tonnes of heavy melting scrap (HMS) 1 at a base price of $325 per tonne cfr from the United States.A major Vietnam...Read More
The latest news and price moves to start the Asian day on Thursday December 13.Base metal prices on the London Metal Exchange had mostly drifted lower by the close on Wednesday December 12 but were confined to tight ranges throughout what was an unexceptional trading day. Read more in our live futures report.Here are how prices looked at the close of trading:A historic backwardation in zinc forwar...Read More
Arbitrage for copper, aluminium, zinc and nickel imported into China on Wednesday December 12* Copper -$129.85 (-896.92 yuan) Aluminium -$439.71 (-3,037.19 yuan) Zinc -$113.3 (-782.6 yuan) Nickel $381.09 (2,632.27 yuan) *Fastmarkets calculates the physical arbitrage for import into China daily by using SHFE front-month and LME three-month...Read More
Three-month base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were for the most part firmer this morning, Wednesday December 12, with average gains of 0.3%. This after the complex climbed by an average of 0.4% on Tuesday, which followed Monday's test of support levels - that held.This morning's gains were fairly tightly bunched with prices rising between 0.2% for aluminium and 0.6% for nickel. The e...Read More
Good morning from Fastmarkets MB's offices in Asia as we bring you the latest news and pricing stories on Wednesday December 12.Base metal prices, barring those for aluminium, on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were up across the board during Asian morning trading on Wednesday December 12, with the complex continuing to find support from positive trade headlines. Check Fastmarkets MB's live futures...Read More
The latest metal markets news and price moves to start the North American day on Wednesday December 12.London Metal Exchange base metal prices have made a typically tentative start to trading on Wednesday December 12, with copper, aluminium and zinc all trading down against yesterday's close. Here is how the LME base metals complex looked at 11.40am London...Read More
The following Fastmarkets UK non-ferrous scrap and foundry ingot prices changed on Wednesday December 12:Aluminium scrapLoose old rolled cuttings: ?710-730 per tonne from ?730-750Commercial cast: ?790-830 per tonne from ?800-840Cast wheels:...Read More
It was another firmer start for the three-month base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange this morning, Thursday December 13, with all the metals in positive territory and showing average gains of 0.6%. More positive steps from China on trade seems to be easing some of the concerns in the market, although traders are probably nervous that any positivity could be unwound with one presidential...Read More
U.S. equity index futures were higher this morning. S&P 500 futures were up 5 points in pre-opening trade. Index futures were virtually unchanged following release of the Weekly Jobless Claims report at 8:30 AM EST. Consensus was a drop to 225,000 from an upwardly revised 233,000 last week. Actual was 206,000.European Central Bank maintained its overnight lending rate. It will discontinue bond...Read More