China’s metals industry returned from holiday to find metal prices were higher and it would appear have chased prices higher, with all the base metals on the London Metal Exchange and Shanghai Futures Exchange showing gains this morning, Thursday February 18.

Import prices for containerized ferrous scrap in Taiwan started a recovery in the middle of this week amid increased demand, breaking an almost three-week downward streak.

Following initial research and consultation among market participants, Fastmarkets proposes to launch a weekly price assessment for ferro-niobium, delivered consumer works Europe, duty paid.

The Spanish steel industry has demanded clarification from the government following a March 29 decree to shut down all non-essential production as part of the battle to contain the Covid-19 pandemic, Fastmarkets heard on Tuesday March 31.

The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in a shortage of ferrous scrap in many key supply locations, provoking a 21% rise in international scrap prices in just 12 days from April 3 to April 15. But despite this, domestic prices in many areas were settled lower in April’s monthly negotiations.

Fastmarkets proposes to change the publication time of its Latin American steel price assessments to Friday at 2-3pm New York time from Friday 2-3pm London time.

Crude steel, finished steel and hot metal output of the China Iron & Steel Association’s (Cisa) member mills rose to record highs in late July, but steelmakers’ finished steel inventories dropped sharply, according to data released late on Wednesday August 5.

The Indian export price for silico-manganese jumped by nearly 9% on Friday March 19 to the highest since Fastmarkets started to assess the market in June 2014.

Due to the enforced extension of China's Lunar New Year holidays, Fastmarkets will not be publishing the following daily and weekly steel prices on Friday January 31.

Chinese domestic prices suffer heavy falls on building steel inventory levels and persistent first-quarter demand worries, with rebar facing the toughest challenge.