Here are a few of Metal Bulletin's predictions for 2013.

The metal industry's year was dominated by two big takeovers.

Global scrap metal exports were valued at $124.8 billion in 2011, marking a “banner year for global scrap demand”, the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) said in a report.

With immediate effect, Metal Bulletin will temporarily withdraw its reporting of the copper and lead premiums into Baltimore due to lack of activity.

This year, nickel has been a shocker, losing 30.4% of its value in the space of six months between February and August. But Metal Bulletin Research sees reasons why nickel could be a top performer in 2013.

We learned a host of things in Asia Copper Week, but spotted one matter that still needs resolution.

We believe that the copper concentrate market has reached a turning point from a decade of structural undersupply to a new era characterised by more plentiful availability.

Marex Spectron enjoyed another successful charity day on Thursday November 16 as celebrities including Paul Whitehouse and the Countess of Wessex helped the brokerage raise money for children’s charities in the UK, the USA and Hong Kong.

The London Metal Exchange has proposed further alteration to its rules concerning load-out rates for bonded warehouses.

The market has been expecting volatility in base metal prices. But Metal Bulletin Research has also been viewing the lower levels as buying opportunities.