Chinese magnesium market participants which have strong capital resources have become the "middlemen" between domestic producers and exporters over the past few months, Fastmarkets has learned.Sources reported that such "middlemen" procured magnesium from producers, thus reducing plants' stocks and pushing up prices, and then sold the material to exporters which needed to fulfil overseas contracts...Read More
On August 9, there was a blast at Novolipetsk Steel's (NLMK) oxygen plant in Lipetsk, Russia, but it will only have a minor impact on production, the company told Fastmarkets.The blast caused the roof to ignite but it has now been neutralized, the company said. No one was injured."The accident has not impacted key production assets' logistic infrastructure and repair...Read More
The nickel sulfate price remained steady at its highest level in the week to Friday August 6 amid continuous tight supply of raw materials, with LME nickel price volatility keeping market participants on the sidelines, sources said.Fastmarkets assessed the price of nickel sulfate min 21%, max 22.5%; cobalt 10ppm max, exw China at 37,000-38,000 yuan ($5,709-5,863) per tonne on August 6, unchan...Read More
Stronger-than-expected United States employment figures on Friday August 6 turned the dollar higher, which weighed on prices, with most base metals weaker this morning, Monday August 9, but gold and silver underwent a 'flash crash' at the start of trading in Asia.Signs of a stronger US recovery weighed heavily on gold and silver on Friday, which led to a chaotic start to trading this morning. US 1...Read More
Heavy rain in the upper and middle reaches of the Changjiang River has led to lower activity at construction sites, pushing down spot market rebar prices on Monday August 9.DomesticEastern China (Shanghai): 5,180-5,220 yuan ($800-806) per tonne, down by 20 yuan per tonneHeavy rain in certain parts of Sichuan, Chongqing, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Guizhou and Yunnan, have had a serious impact...Read More
Shipbreaking steel scrap prices in Turkey dropped during the week to Monday August 9, in line with prices for imported scrap, market participants told Fastmarkets.Turkish steel mills booked at least five deep-sea cargoes, with prices dropping through the week.Fastmarkets' assessment for steel scrap, heavy melting scrap 1&2 (80:20 mix) United States origin, cfr Turkey was calculated at $463.90...Read More
U.S. equity index futures were mixed this morning. S&P 500 futures were unchanged in pre-opening trade. U.S. equity index futures were virtually unchanged following release of the U.S. Second Quarter Productivity Report at 8:30 AM EDT. Consensus was an increase of 3.2% versus a gain of 5.4% in the first quarter. Actual was an increase of 2.3%.Kansas City Southern gained $12.05 to $282.46 on ex...Read More
Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were up across the board this morning, Tuesday August 10, this after a day of weakness on Monday – once again it looks like dips are being seen as a buying opportunity.Markets are focused on when central banks will start to tighten monetary policy, and to what degree the Delta variant of Covid-19 will slow the reflation tradeBase metalsLME three...Read More
Key data from the Friday August 6 pricing session in London and ChinaKey driversCobalt hydroxide payables fell in the second half of the week to Friday August 6 after a rise on August 4, with a deal reported at a higher level. Most buyers were still reluctant to accept a higher level in the second half of the week considering...Read More
Here are five Fastmarkets stories you might have missed on Friday August 6 that are worth another look.German industrial group Thyssenkrupp has agreed the sale of its infrastructure business to compatriot company FMC Beteiligungs KG, an entrepreneur-led investment firm, Thyssenkrupp said on Thursday August 5.Spot differentials for low-carbon...Read More
Stronger-than-expected United States employment figures on Friday August 6 turned the dollar higher, which weighed on prices, with most base metals weaker this morning, Monday August 9, but gold and silver underwent a ‘flash crash’ at the start of trading in Asia.* Signs of a stronger US recovery weighed heavily on gold and silver on Friday, which led to a chaotic start to trading this m...Read More
Here are five Fastmarkets stories you might have missed on Friday August 6 that are worth another look.German industrial group Thyssenkrupp has agreed the sale of its infrastructure business to compatriot company FMC Beteiligungs KG, an entrepreneur-led investment firm, Thyssenkrupp said on Thursday August 5.Spot differentials for low-carbon...Read More
Here are five Fastmarkets stories you might have missed on Friday August 6 that are worth another look.German industrial group Thyssenkrupp has agreed the sale of its infrastructure business to compatriot company FMC Beteiligungs KG, an entrepreneur-led investment firm, Thyssenkrupp said on Thursday August 5.Spot differentials for low-carbon...Read More
U.S. equity index futures were lower this morning. S&P 500 futures were down 8 points in pre-opening trade. American National Insurance is expected to open higher after Brookfield Reinsurance agreed to acquire the company at $190 per share cash. Value of the deal is $5.1 billion.Berkshire Hathaway added $2.89 to $288.52 after reporting higher than consensus second quarter earnings. Dollar Tree...Read More
Here are five Fastmarkets stories you might have missed on Friday August 6 that are worth another look.German industrial group Thyssenkrupp has agreed the sale of its infrastructure business to compatriot company FMC Beteiligungs KG, an entrepreneur-led investment firm, Thyssenkrupp said on Thursday August 5.Spot differentials for low-carbon...Read More
Here are five Fastmarkets stories you might have missed on Friday August 6 that are worth another look.German industrial group Thyssenkrupp has agreed the sale of its infrastructure business to compatriot company FMC Beteiligungs KG, an entrepreneur-led investment firm, Thyssenkrupp said on Thursday August 5.Spot differentials for low-carbon...Read More
Freight rates for bulk cargoes of steel have risen in the last week amid a global shortage of ships, and the Covid-19 resurgence in China and Southeast Asia could raise costs for cargoes even further, sources have told Fastmarkets.Bulk freight costs for steel scrap shipped from the United States East Coast to Turkey in a Supramax vessel were heard at $48 per tonne on Wednesday August 3, up from th...Read More
Freight rates for bulk cargoes of steel have risen in the last week amid a global shortage of ships, and the Covid-19 resurgence in China and Southeast Asia could raise costs for cargoes even further, sources have told Fastmarkets.Bulk freight costs for steel scrap shipped from the United States East Coast to Turkey in a Supramax vessel were heard at $48 per tonne on Wednesday August 3, up from th...Read More
Freight rates for bulk cargoes of steel have risen in the last week amid a global shortage of ships, and the Covid-19 resurgence in China and Southeast Asia could raise costs for cargoes even further, sources have told Fastmarkets.Bulk freight costs for steel scrap shipped from the United States East Coast to Turkey in a Supramax vessel were heard at $48 per tonne on Wednesday August 3, up from th...Read More
Freight rates for bulk cargoes of steel have risen in the last week amid a global shortage of ships, and the Covid-19 resurgence in China and Southeast Asia could raise costs for cargoes even further, sources have told Fastmarkets.Bulk freight costs for steel scrap shipped from the United States East Coast to Turkey in a Supramax vessel were heard at $48 per tonne on Wednesday August 3, up from th...Read More