Market insights

Search all the latest market insights and coverage

GLOBAL STAINLESS OUTLOOK: Asian Q2 outlook bearish; Section 232 to support US prices

Stainless steel prices in Asia are likely to remain bearish on expectations of continued low demand in the second quarter of the year, while prices in North America are likely to be supported by the Section 232 import tariffs in the United States.

April 11, 2018
·
By Generic people page

Insights
S African steel imports fall amid exemption snub

US imports of South African steel are poised to decline for a second consecutive month, with traders left in the dark on whether the Trump administration will exempt the country from Section 232 tariffs. Quotas are said to be under consideration.

April 11, 2018
·
By Dom Yanchunas

Insights
Section 232 tariff exclusions sought for tinplate, cold-rolled coil

Requests for exclusions to US President Donald Trump's Section 232 tariffs against imported steel are beginning to roll into the flat-rolled arena.

April 11, 2018
·
By Generic people page

Insights
Chromium prices jump 25% on severe supply shortage

A severe shortage of chromium, along with firm downstream demand, has caused prices of the metal to hit their highest level in almost seven years.

April 10, 2018
·
By Generic people page

Insights
MARKET SPOTLIGHT: What are the key nickel price drivers?

The long-term outlook for nickel looks bright, but has the market run too far ahead on optimistic expectations? Richard Barrett asks experts on the nickel market for their opinions

April 10, 2018
·
By Generic people page

Insights
FOCUS: Tight market, higher premiums expected in European aluminium market after US sanctions on Rusal

The physical aluminium market in Europe is expected to turn bullish because of significant supply tightness, with more market participants likely to turn away from using metal supplied by Russian aluminium producer Rusal.

April 10, 2018
·
By Generic people page

Insights
ASIA STEEL FOCUS: Taiwanese ban on Chinese steel could disrupt regional trade flow

A potential ban on Chinese steel imports by Taiwan could disrupt trade flows in Asia, with the stainless steel segment set to be hardest hit, market sources told Metal Bulletin this week.

April 10, 2018
·
By Generic people page

Insights
METALS MORNING VIEW 10/04: China’s pledge to open markets provides prices with a boost

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were broadly up on Tuesday April 10, with markets reacting positively to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s pledge to further open up China's economy.

April 10, 2018
·
By Generic people page

Insights
EUROPEAN MORNING BRIEF 10/04: SHFE copper prices jump; Codelco reaches wage deal at Chuquicamata; Stefan Boel to leave Aurubis

Good morning from Metal Bulletin’s office in Shanghai as we bring you the latest news and pricing stories on Tuesday April 10.

April 10, 2018
·
By Generic people page

Insights
LIVE FUTURES REPORT 10/04: SHFE copper prices jump on further cooling of US-China trade tensions

Copper prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange strengthened during Asian morning trading on Tuesday April 10, after a further cooling in trade tensions between the United States and China led to increased buying interest among investors.

April 10, 2018
·
By Generic people page

Insights

Top stories across markets

ArrowMetals signs nickel sulfate tolling deal for Q3 2021 production

ArrowMetals will become a seller of nickel sulfate after agreeing a tolling arrangement with Cyprus refinery Hellenic Minerals to produce battery-grade material.

March 5, 2021

Bursa Malaysia to launch revamped crude palm kernel futures

The Bursa Malaysia Derivatives exchange (BMD) announced it will launch a revamped crude palm kernel oil futures…

March 5, 2021

By: Rei Geyssens

FOCUS: Questions arise after Tsingshan announces new nickel matte technology

Fastmarkets examines these questions following Tsingshan’s announcement – believed to be a game changer for the nickel market – mainly focusing on the EV demand outlook, raw materials and the implications on exchanged-traded nickel pricing in the future as well as some uncertainties.

March 5, 2021

By: Sally Zhang

GLOBAL LITHIUM WRAP: China’s hydroxide price hits 19-month high amid global price uptrend

China’s domestic battery-grade lithium hydroxide price surged by 19.8% to a 19-month high on Thursday March 4, driven by tight spot supply and higher offering prices from most producers – conditions that have supported bullish market sentiment across the other global regions.

March 5, 2021

By: Carrie Shi

Key topics and special interest hubs

Browse our special interest content hubs to get deeper insights into the biggest issues across commodity markets

2025 outlooks

Trade policies

Critical minerals

Green steel

Recycling batteries

Electric car charge sign with wind turbines on background

Supply chains

Procurement insights

Methodology

We recognize the importance of being clear about our price assessment and index process. Our independently audited pricing process aligns with core IOSCO principles. Find out how our price reporters and analysts assess and forecast prices in agriculture, forest products and metals

Learn more

Fast Forward podcast

The definitive podcast for the critical minerals and battery raw materials markets. From uncovering market secrets to predicting future trends using Fastmarkets forecasting data, we’ve got you covered.

Subscribe now

Hotter Commodities

In Hotter Commodities, special correspondent Andrea Hotter cuts to the chase on the biggest stories impacting the natural resources sector, what it means for the markets, the key risks and opportunities.

Find out more

Fastmarkets combines the commodity intelligence of these familiar names:

Metal Bulletin • American Metal Market • Scrap Price Bulletin • Industrial Minerals • RISI • FOEX • The Jacobsen • Agricensus • Palm Oil Analytics • Random Lengths • Hardwood Market Report
• FastMarkets and more

Talk to us

Whether you’re interested in learning how to become a customer from our sales teams or looking to get in touch with one of our reporters, we’re here for you.

Speak to our team

Why use a price reporting agency?

Navigate uncertainty and make business decisions with confidence using our price data, forecasts and critical intelligence.

Learn more

Our insights

Discover our global market insights into commodity markets. See what's trending in the agriculture, forest products, metals and mining and new generation energy markets.