Hot-rolled coil prices in the United States continue at record highs, with tags at or above $50 per hundredweight ($1,000 per short ton) - a level last seen during the bull rush of 2008.

Fastmarkets will discontinue its tin ingot premiums on a seaborne basis to China from the start of January.

The United Kingdom and European Union have reached an agreement on a trade deal that will ensure tariff-free trading of most goods between the country and the bloc after December 31 when the withdrawal transition period ends, easing metals and minerals market participants’ fears of logistics paralysis and material shortages.

Import prices for containerized ferrous scrap into Taiwan continued on an uptrend in the week to Thursday December 24 amid limited supply and strong demand.

The new coronavirus strain found in the United Kingdom has raised fears of scrap supply shortages which could feed the runaway prices in Asia, market sources told Fastmarkets in the week to Thursday December 24.

Base metals prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were up across the board this morning, Thursday December 24, while those on the London Metal Exchange were mixed.

Hot-rolled coil prices in the United States have moved above $50 per hundredweight ($1,000 per short ton) for the first time since early September 2008 thanks to a continuing supply shortage.

The publication of Fastmarkets’ China ferro-silicon price assessments for December 23 were delayed because of a reporting error on December 23.

Chilean lithium producer Sociedad Quimica y Minera (SQM) has signed a long-term supply agreement for high quality lithium cathode material with LG Energy Solutions, it said on Tuesday December 22.

Base metals prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were mainly lower this morning, Wednesday December 23, while those on the London Metal Exchange were mixed.