China’s domestic and export coke prices extended their upward momentum this month amid healthy demand from Chinese mills and continued restrictions on cokeries.

Both China and the CIS region have been less active in the steel billet markets over the past week, but Iran has shown more activity in the semi-finished product trade, amid a generally positive mood.

The graphite electrodes used in electric-arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking have changed from being a commodity to a strategic material, with prices surging last year amid drastic changes in market conditions, an industry conference has heard.

The three-month lead price on the London Metal Exchange was slightly firmer this morning, Friday November 23, while the rest of the complex was down by an average of 0.6%. Zinc led the decline with a 1.2% fall, while copper was off by 0.8% at $6,217 per tonne.

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

Bargain hunting has returned to the base metals complex in the morning of Friday April 13, lifting prices on the London Metal Exchange by 0.6% on average.

Three-month base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were either little changed or stronger on the morning of Friday November 16.

The base metals are under pressure today as escalating geopolitical tensions between the USA and North Korea continue to increase risk aversion, triggering profit-taking after bullish sentiment pushed many of the metals to fresh multi-month highs this week.

Last Thursday’s brief correction in metals prices was just a pause in what is turning into a strong rally, with the three-month base metals prices traded on the London Metal Exchange up by an average of 0.6% on the morning of Monday February 25.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange are for the most part weaker this morning, Wednesday March 21, with all of the metals, except lead and tin, showing average losses of 0.3%. Copper is down by 0.4% at $6,732 per tonne, while lead is up by 0.4% at $2,360 per tonne and tin is little changed.