Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were for the most part firmer on the morning of Wednesday May 2, with five of the six base metals showing gains averaging 0.6%, while tin bucked the trend with a 0.1% decline. Copper led on the upside with a 1% gain to $6,816 per tonne.

Metal Bulletin reviews the major stories affecting the steel market over the past week.

Three-month base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were up across the board on the morning of Wednesday June 20, with the complex up by an average of 0.3%. Nickel and zinc prices led the way with gains of 0.5%, while copper was up by 0.2% at $6,843 per tonne.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange are mixed this morning, Friday October 13, with zinc and lead prices weaker by 0.3% and 1%, respectively; while aluminium and nickel prices are up by 0.2%, tin prices are firmer by 0.3% and copper prices are little changed at $6,875 per tonne.

Asia’s flat steel market is expected to continue to see declining prices amid persistently weak demand and excess supply in the region, market sources told Fastmarkets MB this week.

We were wary that the US Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) statement could give the dollar a boost and that it could become a headwind for metals prices and that seems to have been the case. The base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange are down across the board by an average of 1.1% this morning, Thursday September 21.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange are struggling to extend gains and are consolidating in high ground this morning, Thursday February 1. Copper ($7,073 per tonne), zinc, aluminium and nickel prices are off between 0.2% and 0.4%, while lead and tin prices are up by 0.2% and 0.1% respectively.

The continued unpredictability of trade relations between China and the United States has made long-term planning harder for businesses, including mining companies.

Secondary aluminium ingot prices have not been below London Metal Exchange aluminium prices since primary metal spiked above $3,000 per tonne just before its precipitous collapse in 2008, but they are below them again now.

Three-month base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were for the most part in positive territory on the morning of Tuesday August 28, with nickel prices bucking the trend with a 0.2% decline, while the rest were up by between 0.2% for copper at $6,082 per tonne and 0.7% for zinc at $2,545 per tonne.