After a one-month consultation period, Fastmarkets is amending the specification of its MB-GRA-0036 graphite spherical 99.95%, 15 microns, fob China price assessment. Following the consultation, on Thursday April 10, the specification will change from 15 microns to 15-17 microns to better reflect the evolving dynamics in China’s spherical graphite export market. The new specification is a […]

The launch of this price assessment is to meet market demand for price transparency of the highest liquidity of antimony ingot in China, providing a more accurate representation of the Chinese market and offering a genuine reference for other regions. The specifications are as follows:MB-SB-0011 Antimony 99.85% Sb min, in-whs China, yuan/tonneQuality: Ingot. Sb 99.85% min, […]

Critical minerals appear to be exempt from the 'reciprocal' tariffs introduced by Donald Trump on Wednesday April 2; US trade paralyzed by confusion, market participants reported.

This consultation was done as part of our published annual methodology review process. No feedback was received during the consultation period and therefore no changes will be made to the methodologies at this stage. This consultation sought to ensure that our methodologies continue to reflect the physical market under indexation, in compliance with the International Organization […]

After a consultation period, Fastmarkets has amended the frequency of this price, following positive feedback from market participants and internal data analysis, which suggested lower spot liquidity and price volatility recently. Fastmarkets selects a publication frequency after considering the number of data points (deals, bids, offers, deals heard and assessments) that it can reasonably expect […]

EV advocate Quentin Willson talks myths, market trends and the road ahead

The trade log in the rationale incorrectly identified an offer as a trade. The trade log has been corrected to: Vale, COREX, 170,000 tonnes of 62% Fe Brazilian Blend fines, offered at the June average of Fastmarkets’ 62% Fe low-alumina fines plus a premium of $1 per tonne, laycan May 18-27 (fixed-price equivalent calculated at […]

The disconnect between spodumene and lithium salts prices has become a major focus in the global battery raw materials market, as discussed at the 2025 Fastmarkets conference in Shanghai. Factors like new pricing mechanisms, spodumene auctions and shifting supply-demand trends highlight the need for improved risk management tools and price transparency.

The publication of Fastmarkets’ MB-AL-0343 Aluminium P1020A spot premium, cif main Japanese ports (MJP) assessment for Wednesday April 2 was delayed because of a reporter error. Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated. The following price was affected:MB-AL-0343: Aluminium P1020A (MJP) spot premium, cif Japan, $/tonne The price is a part of the Fastmarkets base metals […]

The Trump administration has introduced reciprocal tariffs, matching about half the rates imposed by US trade partners, with a minimum of 10%, to boost domestic industries and achieve "economic independence." While praised by US steel manufacturers for protecting jobs, the effect on trade relationships with partners like Canada and Mexico remains uncertain.