By John MauldinLabor 2030Surplus WorkersWealth Tax ComingHome Again, Home Again, Jiggity-JigWe've just wrapped the Strategic Investment Conference, which in many ways is the best week of my year. Seeing so many old friends, making new ones, and having countless fascinating conversations is my idea of heaven.On the other hand, this particular heaven is also exhausting. I've been running at full p...Read More

By Avi GilburtDo you think we will ever see a week of market moves associated with news events for which you will not shake your head?Week after week I think analysts say something so stupid that I just want to scream. As I have pointed out so many times over the years, I keep hoping that some form of sanity will grip pundits one day. I keep hoping that they may wake up and recognize the error o...Read More

CIS export slab prices soared in the week ended Monday March 12 amid reduced availability of the material as well as continuing growth in flat steel prices in customers' own markets.Metal Bulletin's weekly price assessment for CIS export slab was $580-590 per tonne fob Black Sea on Monday March 12, up from $555-565 per tonne fob Black Sea.Ukraine's Metinvest was offering its material to Turkey, on...Read More

- Recent stock market selloff showed gold can deliver returns and reduce portfolio risk- Gold's performance during stock market selloff was consistent with historical behaviour- Gold up nearly 10% in last year but performance during recent selloff was short-lived- The stronger the market pullback, the stronger gold's rally- WGC: 'a good time for investors to consider including or adding gold as...Read More

CIS export billet prices soared in the week ended Monday March 12 with mills pushing through higher prices amid reduced availability of the material and lively demand.Metal Bulletin's export CIS Billet Index was $551 per tonne fob Black Sea on March 12, up by $17 per tonne week-on-week.Mills were selling material mainly within the range of $540-550 per tonne fob Black Sea.Ukraine's ArcelorMittal K...Read More

The Chinese ferro-silicon spot market slumped over the past week because of slow demand from key consumers in the steel and magnesium sectors.The market will be vulnerable to further losses if there is no upturn in demand in the near term. Chinese demand lags behind supply... ...and domestic prices fall more than 10% Europe price range widens amid uncertainty US market eases, wary of renewed impor...Read More

On Monday copper for delivery in May declined nearly 1% on the Comex market in New York at $3.1095 per pound or $6,855 a tonne amid a general weakness on commodity and financial markets gripped by uncertainty surrounding the Trump administration's trade policies and the strength of demand from China, the globe's number one metals consumer.That's a 2.4 billion pound or $7.6 billion decline from rec...Read More

Focus in on retaliation measures after Trump's tariff. Traders have ignored the exceptional US February nonfarm payroll numbers. Global stock markets are expected to rise. Sentiment for the US dollar is still weak. Now the focus will be on the FOMC meet. The pace of interest rate hikes is the key and not the actual hike. An early Easter (in March) does have temporary economic implications. I b...Read More

RAPAPORT... The Kimberley Process (KP) has entered a two-year review of itsoperations, enabling the organization to evaluate current needs and improve theway it tackles issues. The European Union, the KP's chair for 2018 under theleadership of Hilde Hardeman, is overseeing the assessment, the World DiamondCouncil (WDC) said in a statement last week. "The threat of instability and conflict remains...Read More

(IDEX Online) - The World Federation of Diamond Bourses' (WFDB) Executive Committee Meeting takes place in Idar-Oberstein today, with the meeting tackling a full agenda of issues ahead of the 38th World Diamond Congress in Tel Aviv in June. The meeting is being hosted by the Diamant-und Edelsteinborse Idar Oberstein.   "We have a very full agenda of issues to discuss since the last ExCo...Read More

JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Australian exploration company Newfield Resources (NWF) and Africa-focused miner Stellar Diamonds have reached an agreement regarding NWF’s proposed acquisition of Stellar’s entire issued and to be issued share capital for £7.74-million.The ASX-listed company owns an advanced diamond project in Sierra Leone, comprising four exploration lice...Read More

RAPAPORT... Sterling Jewelers has responded toAlex and Ani's countersuit against the retailer, claiming its sparring partner breached a contract between the companies. The jewelry retail giant has highlighted nine points itbelieves makes Alex and Ani's countersuit invalid, including Alex and Ani notperforming its obligations under the contract, and filing thecounterclaim in bad faith.The companies...Read More

(IDEX Online) - World Diamond Council (WDC) Acting President Stephane Fischler joined a group of executives and dignitaries at a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) side event, discussing the Kimberley Process (KP) and strategies to advance its ongoing contributions toward peace, security and sustainable development in diamond mining communities.   This year marks the beginning of a pivot...Read More

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were lower across the board at the close on Monday March 12, with overhead selling pressure weakening prices.Lead plummeted 2.7% today as it hit a fresh 2018-low of $2,311 per tonne - the metal failed to hold onto the gains it registered on Friday and lacks significant support. "[Lead] has struggled ever since the 2018-high at $2,685 per tonne due to...Read More

RAPAPORT... The State Bank of India (SBI) has introduced stricter lending conditions for certain gem and jewelry companies in the wake of the Nirav Modi scandal, The Economic Times reported. India's largest bank will require existing borrowers with inadequate safeguards either to raise their collateral to 40% to 50% of the loan value from the current 10% to 15%, or to repay at least half...Read More

(IDEX Online) - The Diamond Producers Association (DPA) launched a story-telling series about the role women play in the business to celebrate International Women's Day.   "Stories Behind The Brilliance Of Diamonds," is a series that features articles from and about women who represent different stages in the diamond's evolution from mine to market.   Among the women featured were Stefa...Read More

Spot prices for ammonium paratungstate (APT) and tungsten concentrates continued to rise last week when sellers raised their offers or declined to offer at all while Chinese raw materials are in tight supply. APT and oxide supplies continue to tighten while Chinese output slows Sellers decline to offer intermediates due to concerns over replacement cost, availability Profit-taking prompts fall in...Read More

Steel producers in Russia have increased their offers to the domestic markets for April-production hot-rolled (HR) and cold-rolled (CR) sheet, Metal Bulletin has been told.Metal Bulletin's weekly assessment of the price for Russian 4mm HR sheet was 43,000-45,000 roubles ($759-794) per tonne cpt Moscow, including VAT, on Monday March 12, widening upward from 43,000 roubles per tonne a week earlier....Read More

Exporters of hot-rolled coil (HRC) and cold-rolled coil (CRC) from the Commonwealth of Independent States continued to be in bullish mood in the week ended Monday March 12, despite a rapid price decline for China-origin material.Metal Bulletin's weekly price assessment for CIS-origin HRC exports was $610-625 per tonne fob Black Sea on March 12, narrowing upward from $590-625 per tonne fob Black Se...Read More

The latest metal markets news and price moves to start the North American day on Monday March 12.Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange dipped slightly during morning trading on Monday March 12 while looking to consolidate Friday's rally.Here's how base metals...Read More