Global cobalt prices came under mounting pressure in December, with the bearish outlook for 2019 and forecast oversupply showing no signs of relenting and sellers rushing to get stocks off their books ahead of the year-end.

Surging investment across the battery raw materials supply chain, stemming from growing demand for electric vehicles, has fueled an increasing appetite for transparent market intelligence.

China’s month-on-month new electric vehicles (NEV) sales rebounded in August after month-on-month declines in June and July.

Metal Bulletin has launched a price assessment for cobalt sulfate, 20.5% min Co, ex-works China, published as a $ per lb adjustment to the low end of Metal Bulletin’s existing benchmark low-grade cobalt price assessment.

China’s crackdown on imports of lead waste products has sent ripples through the smelting industry there, with some companies pondering capacity cuts amid one of the tightest concentrate markets in years.

After United States sanctions cut off supplies of microchips for Huawei smartphones, alarm bells began to ring out across all Chinese industries deemed as pivotal to the country’s future development, but reliant on imported materials.

The latest news and price moves to start the Asian day on Friday July 20.

Metal Bulletin has reviewed its benchmark cobalt prices to ensure they are relevant and fit for application in a rapidly evolving market.

Chinese vanadium prices have dropped significantly since this year’s week-long Lunar New Year holiday (February 4-10) amid falling international prices and weak demand in both the domestic and international markets.

Most global steel billet prices fell in the week ended Friday January 26, amid low trading and weak market sentiment.