Here are the key takeaways from market participants on US ferrous scrap metal prices, market confidence, inventory and more from our January survey.

Tariffs on steel and aluminum will raise US car prices, increase production costs, and squeeze profit margins. Smaller car companies may struggle to compete, while retaliatory actions could disrupt the global auto market, reshaping manufacturing and trade industry-wide.

Trump’s tariffs on Canadian and Mexican metals have introduced significant instability to the U.S. metals sector. The 25% tariffs, coupled with retaliatory measures from Canada and Mexico, have fuelled price volatility, supply chain disruptions, and operational uncertainty across multiple industries. These trade policies are reshaping global market dynamics as stakeholders brace for long-term impacts on steel, aluminium, copper, and other metal commodities.

Following an initial consultation with the market, and a review of typical data sets that are collected over the recent months, Fastmarkets proposes to include a wider range in the specification to better reflect evolving market dynamics. The proposed new specifications are listed below, with the proposed amendment in italics: MB-GRA-0036 graphite spherical 99.95%, 15-17 microns, […]

The Indian steel industry faces challenges as coking coal demand grows amid supply issues. Insights from Coaltrans India 2025 highlight India's reliance on Australian coal, rising met coke imports, and strategies like blending domestic coal with high-quality options.

Read more about the new Fastmarkets-settled Southern Yellow Pine contract to launch at CME Group

China has announced additional tariffs of up to 15% on imports of US goods from March 10, with the new measures covering largely agricultural products, alongside restricted exports to 15 US companies, according to a notice posted by the country’s Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday, March 4. Imports of agricultural goods […]

The February monthly average and weekly averages between February 15 and 28 for the two prices (MB-LI-0040 and MB-LI-0036) were not calculated because of the error. This delay did not affect the publication of the actual daily assessments. Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated. These prices are a part of Fastmarkets’ industrial minerals package. For more information […]

Presenters shared insights into zinc market dynamics at the International Zinc Association’s (IZA) International Zinc and Zinc Oxide conference held February 23-26 in San Diego.

Iron ore markets face major shifts as an oversupply looms in 2025, driven by weak demand from Chinese steel mills and changing pricing trends. Key players like Vale and Rio Tinto are tackling challenges such as fluctuating shipments, blending practices in China, and a competitive global market.