Opportunistic Chinese billet importers seeking to profit from an open arbitrage window are likely to cushion the blow to Southeast Asian prices caused by extensive measures imposed in the Philippines to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), sources told Fastmarkets.

Two more steel producers in Italy have stopped operations following the recent nationwide extension of the country’s coronavirus-related quarantine area, and more stoppages were expected, sources told Fastmarkets on Thursday March 12.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJIA) closed down by 10% on Thursday March 12, taking the loss from the February high to 28.3%, while the London Metal Exchange three-month base metals at their recent lows have been down by an average of 16% - ranged between 10.4% for aluminium and 22.2% for zinc.

Brazilian miner Vale has said it may have to implement contingency measures or eventually suspend operations due to the global spread of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) pandemic around the world.

Base metals prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were down across the board at the close of morning trading on Friday March 13, with the complex tracking pronounced weakness in broader markets overnight and this morning.

Fastmarkets FOEX invited feedback from the industry in an open consultation process between Feb. 1st and 28th, 2020 on the pricing methodologies for its PIX European Pulp and PIX European Recovered Paper indices. The consultation was done as part of our previously announced annual methodology review process. Fastmarkets FOEX would like to thank those who […]

The trend in the European market for hot-rolled coil remained blurry due to the lockdown in Italy intended to restrict the spread of coronavirus, sources told Fastmarkets on Thursday March 12.

The London Metal Exchange has outlined further contingency plans for metal warranting against the coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak, ensuring that its Special Committee has a broad range of powers to maintain an orderly market.

Chinese hot-rolled coil exporters expressed growing concern over thin trading caused by the global spread of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) on Thursday March 12, despite improved control of the outbreak within China.

Market sentiment in the Chinese domestic rebar market was optimistic on Thursday March 12 after the National Health Commission (NHC) announced the peak of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in China has passed.