Nickel once again outperformed the other base metals traded on the Shanghai Futures Exchange during morning trading on Tuesday September 3, with the alloying metal continuing to benefit from expectations of tightening supply following news that Indonesia will expedite a ban on nickel ore exports.

Fastmarkets proposes to discontinue five of its precious metals prices to focus attention on our core markets.

While nickel is in the spotlight, the rest of the base metals are still being pulled and pushed by the combination of higher tariffs on US imports of Chinese goods and China’s plans to support its economy with further spending on infrastructure.

Base metals prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were mixed during the morning trading session on Monday September 2, with nickel, tin and aluminum securing gains while the rest weakened marginally.

Permanent/indefinite sawmill curtailments swell to 2.5 BBF in 2019, a 9% loss in regional capacity since Q4 2018; Curtailments accelerate into the third quarter, with the bulk of the impact in BC; Curtailment announcements coincide with record decline in lumber prices

Here are five Fastmarkets MB stories you might have missed from Friday August 30 that are worth another look.

Fastmarkets is proposing to make changes to the specifications of two cobalt hydroxide assessments it initially launched in February 2019.

Fastmarkets MB has corrected its monthly values for European grade-304 stainless steel alloy surcharges, which were published incorrectly on Friday August 30.

China’s domestic spot battery-grade lithium carbonate prices temporarily held in the week to August 29 with buyers cautious of further decreases, while the lithium hydroxide market kept flat and no matter how low the offers, deals were rarely concluded due to continuing poor downstream demand.

Markets are once again consolidating in the morning of Friday August 30, waiting to see how the United States responds to China’s comments that it wants to make a trade deal.