The DRC is set to decide on the future of its cobalt export ban on June 22, potentially extending, modifying or ending the policy. Aimed at boosting local refining and value creation, the ban has left global markets uncertain, with stakeholders calling for clarity as cobalt prices fluctuate and concerns over long-term demand grow.

Fastmarkets' Tina Tong discusses adopting ESG practices for a sustainable ferro-alloys future

The US trade roller coaster ride seems to be flattening, with signs of potential moderation and stability. It appears increasingly likely that our original expectation that the US Trump administration would primarily use the threat of tariffs as a negotiating strategy will be correct. While we do not expect to the US tariff position return to pre-2025 levels, we believe the overall US tariff burden is more likely to settle at around 10-30% globally rather than the elevated rates of 50-100% that seemed possible in recent weeks.

Fastmarkets proposes to launch Nordic sawn timber export prices for selected European markets and grades, while discontinuing the PIX Sawn Timber FAS Finland indices. The PIX sawn timber FAS Finland indices have not been widely adopted by the industry and the new price assessments will offer more end-market-specific data for major European markets and will […]

Several key developments will determine how the global iron ore market performs in the coming months, sources told Fastmarkets this week: uncertainty over China-US trade tensions; the likelihood of Chinese crude steel production cuts; the declining quality and premiums for mid-grade ore from Australia; and the increased use of lower-grade iron.

Read Fastmarkets' monthly battery raw materials market update for May 2025, focusing on raw materials including lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite and more

To increase transparency, Fastmarkets has further clarified how it handles price movements during periods of low liquidity. Factors that Fastmarkets may consider during times of low liquidity include, but are not limited to: market fundamentals such as changes in inventory levels, shipments, operating rates and export volumes; relative fundamentals of similar commodities in the same […]

Learn how timber imports affect the US economy regarding Canadian softwood lumber and future trade policies.

Fastmarkets is inviting feedback from the industry on the pricing methodology for the PIX Forest Biomass Finland price indices, as part of its announced annual methodology review process. This consultation, which is open until June 12, 2025, seeks to ensure that our methodologies continue to reflect the physical market under indexation, in compliance with the […]

The publication of the following price was delayed for 10 minutes: MB-ALU-0002 Alumina index, fob Australia, $/tonne This price is a part of the Fastmarkets Base Metals package. For more information or to provide feedback on the delayed publication of this price or if you would like to provide price information by becoming a data submitter […]