China’s domestic and export coke prices gained some upward momentum over the past week thanks to higher mill margins and continued measures intended to reduce pollution.

Expectations have increased for China’s coke prices to bounce up, although some export deals were reported at lower levels in the past week.

Concern started to spread in the global steel markets this week that trade with Iran is at risk since US President Donald Trump announced on May 8 that his country will withdraw from the nuclear-power deal with the Middle Eastern state.

Three-month base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were for the most part weaker this morning, Tuesday January 8.

Three-month base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were up across the board on Friday December 7, with average gains of 0.6%. But trading remained choppy while market participants await greater direction.

Editor Vera Blei looks at the main news covered by Steel First over the past week.

Three-month base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were for the most part stronger on the morning of Monday March 4, with all but tin in positive territory. The complex recorded an average gain of 0.4%, while tin was down by 0.1% at $21,630 per tonne.

Three-month base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were slightly firmer during morning trading on Tuesday April 2, up by an average of 0.2% but still down from Monday's highs.

A drop in China’s manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) to 49.2 in February, from 49.5 in January, has set a weaker tone across markets with base metals traded on the London Metal Exchange mostly lower and down by an average of 0.3% in the morning of Thursday February 28.

Three-month base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were mixed this morning, Friday March 15, with copper, aluminium and nickel up by an average of 0.6%, while zinc, lead and tin were down by an average of 0.6%.