Global copper futures prices are in a frenzy, with record highs being logged on the New York-based Commodity Exchange (Comex), London Metal Exchange and Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) in recent days

European ferro-chrome market faces uncertainty after discontinuation of quarterly benchmark pricing system

Copper prices have pushed up on global metal exchanges in recent weeks and the London Metal Exchange three-month copper price hit an all-time high on Monday May 20, but what are the key reasons behind the record-breaking surge in prices?

Fundamental supply tightness was part of the reason behind this week's LME three-month copper contract all-time high, but the rate of change was also down to an influx of financial investors and the interconnected squeeze on short positions on COMEX, sources told Fastmarkets

The South Korea government has started to build up a national stockpile of lithium reserves through the state-owned Korea Mine Rehabilitation & Mineral Resources Corp (KOMIR), Fastmarkets was told on Tuesday May 21

Fastmarkets is launching a US green steel differential to hot-rolled coil and an accompanying US green steel base price. The launch is targeting growing interest from the auto sector and elsewhere in a low-carbon-emission HRC option. It complements differentials and base prices in Europe and Asia.

For comments and queries, please email hello.foex@fastmarkets.com, indicating “PIX Pellet Nordic Index” in the subject line of the email.

A host of Chinese battery manufacturers have been increasing their production of electrolytic nickel to reap gains from strong futures prices because the growth in downstream demand for electric vehicles (EVs) is slowing, Fastmarkets heard on Tuesday May 21

A surge in recycling capacity in the US aluminium industry is coming in the next few years while for now it continues to meet most of its primary aluminium needs from Canada.

Read more about how Fastmarkets will provide much-needed price assessments for green steel