LME nickel prices: The short squeeze

A summary of what happened to nickel trading in March and the impact this had on the publication and display of the LME nickel data on the Fastmarkets platform

April 14, 2022

What happened to nickel trading in March?
What is the LME methodology for nickel averages?
How to access LME nickel averages on Fastmarkets

During March, LME nickel trading was suspended and then disrupted once trading resumed. Watch this 16-minute summary with Callum Perry, European nickel reporter, and Ben Trotter, product director, describing what happened and the impact this had on the publication and display of the LME nickel data on the Fastmarkets platform.

What to read next

Publication of Fastmarkets’ steel scrap No1 busheling, delivered mill Chicago assessment on Thursday April 9, 2026

Fastmarkets published its assessment of the MB-STE-0232 steel scrap No1 busheling, consumer buying price, delivered mill Chicago, $/gross ton on Thursday April 9, 2026.

April 9, 2026

By Fastmarkets pricing team

Fastmarkets suspends 10 steel pipe prices, CFR Jebel Ali

Fastmarkets has suspended the publication of 10 of its CFR Jebel Ali steel pipe prices, effective April 7.

April 7, 2026

By Fastmarkets pricing team

Delayed publication of nickel, cobalt MHP payable indicators cif China, Japan and South Korea

The publication of Fastmarkets’ nickel and cobalt mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP) payable indicators on a CIF China, Japan and South Korea basis on Thursday April 2 was delayed because a reporter error. Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated.

April 7, 2026

Fastmarkets proposes to amend publication times, holiday pricing schedule for Asian base metals assessments

Fastmarkets proposes to amend the publication times and holiday pricing schedule for a number of its base metal assessments for the Asian market, with the proposed changes to come into effect from Monday May 18.

April 3, 2026

By Fastmarkets pricing team

Delayed publication of European low-carbon aluminium differentials, inferred prices

The publication of Fastmarkets’ European low-carbon aluminium differential assessments for Thursday April 2 were delayed because of a procedural error. Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated.

April 2, 2026

By Fastmarkets pricing team

Correction to European low-carbon aluminium inferred premium midpoint assessments

Fastmarkets has corrected its MB-AL-0379 Aluminium 6063 extrusion billet premium, ddp Italy (Brescia region), inferred low-carbon, and Aluminium 6063 extrusion billet premium, ddp North Germany (Ruhr region), inferred low-carbon midpoint assessments, which were published incorrectly on Friday April 2, due to a procedural error.

April 2, 2026

By Fastmarkets pricing team