The sponge titanium market has seen a shift in its supply-demand dynamics, driven by production cuts and increased pre-holiday restocking activity. On December 18, sponge titanium prices rose for the first time since the downward trend began on May 14. This marks a significant development after nearly two months of flat pricing. According to SMM...
READ MOREAluminum prices have dropped below $2,600 per metric ton, driven by concerns over weak seasonal demand and rising production levels in China. According to official data, Chinese aluminum output reached record highs in November, totaling 3.71 million metric tons. This equates to an annualized production rate of 45.3 million tons, coinciding with a period of...
READ MOREAlumina prices soared to record levels in late 2024, surpassing $780 per tonne in both China and Australia, driven by supply disruptions and robust demand. Prices increased by more than 70% over the year, highlighting the alumina market’s growing vulnerability to supply shocks. While new projects planned for 2025 could help restore balance, the intermediate...
READ MORENickel prices continue to struggle, recently hitting their lowest levels since 2020, as Indonesia’s surging production reshapes the global market. Despite rising demand from stainless steel and electric vehicle (EV) battery sectors, supply growth has outpaced expectations, leading to sustained market surpluses. Indonesia’s nickel smelting industry has grown dramatically since the government banned nickel ore...
READ MOREBank of America (BofA) has revised its copper and lithium price forecasts for 2025, pointing to economic uncertainties and trade tensions that could weigh on procyclical commodities. The bank has lowered its 2025 copper price projection by 12%, from $4.88 per pound to $4.28, and its 2026 forecast by 20%, from $5.44 to $4.88. These...
READ MOREGold prices climbed nearly $34 on Tuesday, reaching a two-week high of $2,693.78 per ounce. The surge was driven by escalating geopolitical tensions and strong market expectations for a Federal Reserve interest rate cut next week. Spot gold ended the session up $33.75, or 1.27%, with buyers targeting the $2,700 mark for the first time...
READ MOREThe London Metal Exchange (LME) saw refined copper closing at $9,068 per ton, up $4 or 0.04% on the official three-month goods price basis. Despite ongoing concerns about China’s economic outlook, copper prices remained above the $9,000 mark, buoyed by hopes for government stimulus measures. LME copper stock levels, excluding canceled warrants, continued their 12-day...
READ MORECopper prices fell on Wednesday on the London Metal Exchange (LME), weighed down by a stronger dollar and technical factors. The market is awaiting more clarity on demand prospects in China, the world’s top metals consumer, as well as possible trade tariffs. Three-month copper on the LME declined by 0.2% to $9,093 per metric ton...
READ MOREA lesser-known metal, antimony, has experienced a 300% price rally this year, outpacing gains in gold, silver, and even Bitcoin. Western nations have embarked on a \$100 billion spending spree to replenish their military arsenals, including cruise missiles, artillery shells, javelins, and armored vehicles—all of which require antimony. However, the United States does not produce...
READ MOREDuring Wednesday’s New York trading session, spot gold experienced a steep drop, with prices falling nearly $25 from the day’s high. Analysts indicated that stagnating inflation progress led to gold giving up most of its early gains, as economic data suggested that the Federal Reserve might adopt a more cautious approach to future interest rate...
READ MOREAluminium prices on the Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) and the London Metal Exchange (LME) have risen by 14% so far in 2024, and analysts predict a further increase of 5-6% by year-end. The rise is attributed to persistent concerns about raw material supplies and China’s recent decision to end its export tax rebate...
READ MOREThe global cobalt market faces an ongoing oversupply, largely driven by increased production from copper-cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). According to Fastmarkets researchers, the DRC produced 76% of the world’s cobalt in 2023, a share projected to remain steady through 2024 and 2025. This oversupply is closely linked to the...
READ MOREZinc prices increased by 0.48% to settle at $3.38, driven by market speculation regarding potential production cuts and improved consumption levels. Spot premiums remained elevated, offering additional support to the market. Winter shutdowns in northern Chinese mines have prompted smelters to stockpile zinc ore to ensure stable production during the Chinese New Year, which typically...
READ MOREWorld copper prices may weaken to around $8,500 per ton over the next four months as concerns grow over the potential trade feuds likely to be triggered by the Trump administration, according to projections shared at Asia Copper Week held in China. The copper price on the London Metal Exchange (LME) fell by about $350...
READ MOREChile’s SQM, the world’s second-largest lithium producer, announced a 73% drop in third-quarter profit, driven by a significant decline in lithium prices due to a global supply glut. Despite increased sales volumes, the drop in lithium prices led to net profit for the quarter falling to \$131 million, below analyst expectations of \$162 million as...
READ MOREAluminum prices were flat in early Asian trade, with investors watching for the impact of China ending its export tax rebates on semi-manufactured aluminum products. Analysts from ANZ Research noted that Chinese fabricators have been rushing to export ahead of the upcoming rebate cut scheduled for December. Some shipments are being expedited at the request...
READ MOREThe nickel market, which heavily relies on demand from the stainless steel and electric vehicle (EV) sectors, is proving to be challenging to forecast due to its volatility. After a significant spike in 2022 triggered by geopolitical events, nickel prices have since stabilized but remain sensitive to shifts in market conditions. Nickel demand is closely...
READ MORECopper prices edged higher on Tuesday as the U.S. dollar rally paused, although concerns over demand from China and potential U.S. tariffs continued to weigh on the market. Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange (LME) rose 0.5% to $9,114.50 per metric ton by 0320 GMT, while the most-traded December copper contract on the Shanghai...
READ MOREThe Aluminum Monthly Metals Index (MMI) posted a modest 1.38% increase from October to November, as aluminum prices moved sideways throughout October. Although aluminum prices only rose by 0.99% during the month, they managed to outperform other base metals, such as copper, nickel, zinc, and tin, which saw more significant declines. However, prices began slipping...
READ MOREGold prices surged on Monday, climbing 1.9% to close at $2,611.73 per ounce after six consecutive days of losses. The increase came as the U.S. dollar paused its rally, and renewed uncertainty from the escalating Russia-Ukraine conflict rekindled demand for safe-haven assets. FXStreet analyst Christian Borjon Valencia noted that gold rebounded from a two-month low...
READ MOREAluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) rose on Tuesday, while prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) declined. The market is reacting to China’s recent announcement to remove a 13% export tax refund for certain aluminium products starting December 1. Three-month aluminium on the LME was up 0.6% at $2,623 per metric ton...
READ MORECopper prices edged lower on Monday as investors awaited developments on potential U.S. tariffs and anticipated economic stimulus from China. Aluminium also retreated, reflecting market response to China’s recent decision to scrap export rebates. By 1125 GMT November 18, three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange (LME) dipped 0.1% to $8,994.50 per metric ton, extending...
READ MOREBase metals prices largely traded higher on Monday, buoyed by dip-buying from physical consumers. However, gains were limited by a strong dollar and sluggish demand from China, which capped any significant upward movement. Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange (LME) inched up by 0.1% to $9,013.50 per metric ton by 0629 GMT. Aluminium rose...
READ MOREAluminum prices are anticipated to stay elevated throughout 2024 as a tightening market balance emerges, with global demand growth outpacing supply, according to BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions Group. In a report released this week, BMI forecasts that aluminum demand will increase by 3.2% year-on-year in 2024, reaching 70.35 million tonnes, while supply growth...
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