Daily Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing 

• Nickel closed Tuesday's trading session at $9.54/lb ($21,025/tonne). Indicators at 6:00 am CST today show nickel trading around $.22/lb lower. Stockpiles of nickel stored in LME licensed warehouses fell on Tuesday and ended that session just under the 37,800 tonne level. Shanghai nickel fell sharply overnight, down to 156,100 y.t. LME nickel is lower this morning as China's manufacturing PMI for May came in lower than expected (see here). Lot of news today with multiple sources forecasting stainless steel demand will recover later in the year in areas where it is weak or weakening now. Indonesia is in the process of classifying nickel and tin as critical minerals in new regulations under consideration. This is happening around the world as countries look to protect their natural resources. The Euro continues to slip against the US Dollar, which is making it harder for commodity bulls to make a run. Stay safe out there and enjoy the last day of May 2023.
  
• Average price of LME traded cash nickel so far this month - $10.13/lb
  

    Tuesday's market review - Copper braces for more bad news from China - Copper prices on Tuesday hovered a little above last week’s six-month low as investors braced for Chinese data that is expected to show a further contraction in factory activity. - more

     SunSirs: Stainless Steel Fell First and Then Rose This Week (May 22-26) - According to the price monitoring of SunSirs, stainless steel fell first and then rose this week. - more

     MEPS forecasts 2024 EU stainless steel market recovery - MEPS senior consultant Kaye Ayub told attendees at this week’s British Stainless Steel Association (BSSA) annual conference to expect a European stainless steel market recovery in 2024. - more

     Italy’s Acciai Speciali Terni to stop production again in May - Acciai Speciali Terni (AST), a stainless steel manufacturer in Italy, announced that it has decided to suspend the production and operations of all rolling lines at its plant in central Italy for a week from May 25 due to low demand, the second time to suspend production this month. - more

   Other News

• China industrial profits tumble 18% in April as demand sputters - more
• China rejects US claim that it’s ‘de-risking’ not ‘decoupling’ - more
• Commodity Crash Signals Disinflation Is Taking Hold for Now - more
  

  Economic Stats and Prices (posted in Friday edition)

  Daily Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing 

• Nickel closed Friday's trading session at $9.64/lb ($21,250/tonne). Indicators at 6:00 am CST today show nickel trading around $.01/lb lower. Stockpiles of nickel stored in LME licensed warehouses fell on Friday and starts this shortened work week just over the 38,150 tonne level. Shanghai closed higher overnight, and with a monthly contract switch, the price shows as 163,970 y/t. The discontinued contract reads 169,120 y/t for comparison. Negotiators in the US reached a debt ceiling agreement over the weekend, and base metals seem to be looking for a direction this morning. With only two trading days left in May, one might think traders would be cleaning up their books and things will be quiet. There was a time when that could be expected but rarely anymore. Indonesia is working on a nickel price index which will be worth watching for. At least in part his has to do with a future tax they want to attach to nickel exports. Stay safe out there and have a great week!
  
• Average price of LME traded cash nickel so far this month - $10.15/lb
  

    Friday's market review - Copper gains but still heading for sixth straight weekly loss - Copper prices rose on Friday but remained on track for a sixth consecutive weekly loss amid lackluster demand from top metals consumer China and other markets. - more

• Indonesia Plans to Launch Nickel Price Index This Year and Defer Export Tariffs on Nickel Products - more
  

     It's Not a Good Time to Be a Steel Mill or Coal Mine in China - China’s raw materials producers are at the forefront of falling industrial profits as poor demand and price deflation tear into margins at steel mills, metals smelters, chemicals firms and coal miners. - more

   Other News

• Indonesia challenges Thailand's title as the 'Detroit of Asia' - more
• Metals-rich Indonesia's IPO market is so red-hot it's thrashing Hong Kong and India - more
  

  Economic Stats and Prices (posted in Friday edition)

  Daily Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing 

• Nickel closed Thursday's trading session at $9.61/lb ($21,195/tonne). Indicators at 6:30 am CST today show nickel trading around $.21/lb higher. Stockpiles of nickel stored in LME licensed warehouses fell on Thursday and ended that session at the 38,700 tonne level. Overnight, Shanghai nickel gave back some of yesterday's gains, to 168,110 y/t. Nickel bulls pushed nickel over the $21,000 tonne level yesterday, and were able to hold it for the day, so they are trying it again today, trading over the 21,600 tonne level this morning. Some of this appears to be shorts covering their earlier bets, but the Euro is gaining this morning, so that could be adding motivation to the bullish traders. Time will always tell. Markets are closed for Memorial Day in the US on Monday and Spring Bank Holiday in England, so our next update will be Tuesday next week. Have a safe, relaxing or exciting weekend, whichever is planned, and we hope to see you back here next week.
  
• Average price of LME traded cash nickel so far this month - $10.18/lb
  

    Thursday's market review - Weak demand drives zinc to its lowest since July 2020 - Zinc prices fell to their lowest since July 2020 on Thursday as weak demand for the metal used to galvanize steel pushed the market into surplus and exchange inventories rose. - more

     BIR Amsterdam Convention - Stainless Steel & Special Alloys Committee: Under-threat European stainless steel industry “no longer cost-competitive”  - Early 2023 had brought an improvement in market conditions for Europe’s stainless steel sector following the low demand suffered in 2022, reported BIR Stainless Steel & Special Alloys Committee Chairman Joost van Kleef of Netherlands-based Oryx Stainless BV in his opening comments to the body’s latest meeting in Amsterdam on May 22. - more

   Other News

• How Smart Contracts Could Play a Pivotal Role in Supply Chains - more
  

  Economic Stats and Prices (posted in Friday edition)

  Daily Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing 

• Nickel closed Wednesday's trading session at $9.39/lb ($20,710/tonne), it's lowest since September. Indicators at 6:00 am CST today show nickel trading around $.23/lb higher. Stockpiles of nickel stored in LME licensed warehouses fell on Wednesday and started today's session just over the 38,900 tonne level. Shanghai nickel surged overnight, to 169,080 y/t. We are unable to find any reason for Shanghai nickel rising the last two sessions, but apparently LME traders are wondering as well, with nickel trading back above the $21,000 tonne level this morning. Stainless steel surcharges for June have been published - we follow a few (here). With a three day weekend for both US and London markets around the corner, we suspected things would be quiet the next few, but so far at least, that has not proved true. Stay safe out there and have a great Thursday!
  
• Average price of LME traded cash nickel so far this month - $10.22/lb
  

    Wednesday's market review - Copper falls below $8,000 for the first time since November - Copper prices broke below $8,000 a tonne for the first time since Nov. 29 on Wednesday, extending this week’s decline on subdued Chinese demand and concern over global economic growth that analysts expect to weigh on prices in the coming days. - more

     BHP-backed Tanzania nickel miner in talks for offtake contracts - BHP Group-backed Lifezone Metals, which is developing a nickel mine in Tanzania, is negotiating supply deals with several electric vehicle manufacturers and battery makers as the race for energy transition metals intensifies, its CEO said. - more

     Western Australia to compensate Aboriginal group for historic mining damage -  Western Australia state has agreed to compensate an Aboriginal group for historic acts including issuing mining leases on their traditional lands, setting a precedent that is set to allow Indigenous groups a greater say in future developments. - more

   Other News

• China's slowing construction activity to keep steel markets under near-term pressure - more
• Column: Supply anxiety is the new hope for developing energy transition mines - more
• Stellantis is investing in company that plans to make lithium-sulphur EV batteries - more
  

  Economic Stats and Prices (posted in Friday edition)

  Daily Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing 

• Nickel closed Tuesday's trading session at $9.55/lb ($21,050/tonne). Indicators at 6:00 am CST today show nickel trading around $.03/lb lower. Stockpiles of nickel stored in LME licensed warehouses went unchanged on Tuesday, for the third time this month, and remains just over the 39,050 tonne level. Shanghai nickel bucked the trend last night, and rose to 167,070 y/t. The Euro continues to fall, which is keeping negative pressure on nickel traders, already concerned about reports of oversupply. Worldsteel reports that steel production fell worldwide, by 2.4% in April over the same period last year. Steel prices in China edged lower in April, as demand failed to materialize. Stay safe out there and have a great hump day!
  
• Average price of LME traded cash nickel so far this month - $10.26/lb
  

    Tuesday's market review - Copper hits near six-month low as speculators bet on prices falling - Copper prices touched a near six-month low on Tuesday as speculators boosted bearish positions on worries of recession and weak demand in top metals consumer China. - more

     States bordering Lake Superior could have as much nickel as Russia, Canada -  The Lake Superior region could be home to as much nickel as Russia or Canada, some of the largest nickel producers in the world, according to estimates by the United States Geological Survey. - more

     Courtesy AISI - In the week ending on May 20, 2023, domestic raw steel production was 1,728,000 net tons while the capability utilization rate was 76.8 percent. Production was 1,771,000 net tons in the week ending May 20, 2022 while the capability utilization then was 81.1 percent. - more

   Other News

• Understanding Corrosion; Chapter 2 - more
• Q&A: How to Turn Your Warehouse into a Vending Machine - more
• Elon Musk says he’ll likely pick a new Tesla factory location by the end of the year - and confirms India is ‘absolutely’ an interesting option - more
  

  Economic Stats and Prices (posted in Friday edition)

  Daily Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing 

• Nickel closed Monday's trading session at $9.68/lb ($21,340/tonne). Indicators at 6:00 am CST today show nickel trading around $.12/lb lower. Stockpiles of nickel stored in LME licensed warehouses fell slightly on Monday and started today's session just over the 39,050 tonne level. Shanghai nickel fell hard overnight - to 162,500 y/t. LME nickel ended Monday's trading unchanged, and is lower this morning. Sucden apparently has little hope of recovering any of the millions it was swindled out of, thanks in part to the inspection process at LME warehouses failing to discover they were receiving ordinary rocks instead of processed nickel. 2022 was not the London Metal Exchange's finest hour. Other news linked below. Stay safe out there and have a great Tuesday!
  
• Average price of LME traded cash nickel so far this month - $10.32/lb
  

    Monday's market review - Copper pressured by poor demand prospects and higher supply - Copper prices fell on Monday as the market focused on deteriorating demand in top consumer China, rising supplies and climbing inventories in LME-approved warehouses. - more

     Global stainless steel market to grow at CAGR of 4.7% in 2023-2029 - According to a report from Maximize Market Research, the value of the global stainless steel market was US$132.7 billion in 2022, and the market size was expected to reach US$223.7 billion by 2029, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.7% during the period from 2023 to 2029. - more

• Court to extend freezing order on Gupta's wife's assets in Trafigura fraud case - more
  

     POSCO develops high-strength stainless steel for use in home appliances - South Korean steelmaker Pohang Iron and Steel Co. (POSCO) has announced that it has developed a high-strength stainless steel for called 430DP to be used in home appliances. - more

     First Results of Independent Investigation Show Solway Investment Group Holds No Russian Connection - Shortly after the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated two of SIG’s subsidiaries and two individuals in Guatemala as Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons under the Global Magnitsky Law, the Company’s board of directors decided to conduct an independent investigation on the allegations against its Guatemalan subsidiaries, which, in SIG’s understanding, led to the sanctions. - more

     European steel prices lacking clear signal - In advance of the annual Made in Steel trade fair, held in Milan this month, European steel buyers expressed their uncertainty about future prices and, therefore, held back purchases. - more

   Ford seeks to reassure investors with EV, cost cut plans - Ford Motor Co on Monday unveiled an ambitious strategy to profitably ramp up electric vehicle sales but faces a challenge to slash $7 billion in costs and regain credibility on Wall Street. - more

• People remain stumbling block to procurement success - more
  
• Elon Musk's Take On Tesla's 80% Margins After Full Autonomy - more
  

   Other News

• Ukraine has reduced the export of steel semi-finished products by four times since the beginning of this year - more
• US satellites make another sighting of China’s WZ-8 supersonic drone - more
• Russian hypersonic missile scientists are arrested on treason charges - more
  
• Imports of Russian crude plunge in April amid India competition - more
  

  Economic Stats and Prices (posted in Friday edition)

  Daily Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing 

• Nickel closed Friday's trading session at $9.68/lb ($21,340/tonne). Indicators at 6:00 am CST today show nickel trading around $.09/lb higher. Stockpiles of nickel stored in LME licensed warehouses fell on Friday and started this week just under the 39,100 tonne level. Overnight, Shanghai nickel fell slightly overnight, to 166,310 y/t. Nickel is trading higher early on, being assisted by a slightly stronger Euro. Brazil's Vale reportedly has received an offer for a stake in its base metals division, including nickel mining operations in Canada. Taiwan officials arrested dockworkers involved in stealing ferrochrome. And in Hong Kong, metals players gathered for a LME seminar - the first held since the trading debacle of last year. It's the start to the last "full" week for May. Stay safe out there and have a great week!
  
• Average price of LME traded cash nickel so far this month - $10.38/lb
  

    Friday's market review - Copper rebounds on optimism over US debt talks - Copper prices rebounded on Friday on hopes that U.S. politicians will seal a deal to avert a federal debt default and as investors adjusted positions ahead of the weekend. - more

     Brazil's Vale gets offers for stake in base metals unit - local media - Brazilian miner Vale SA received binding offers for a stake in its base metal unit, local newspaper Valor Economico reported on Thursday, citing unnamed sources. - more

• Details Imminent Regarding Vale Metals Sale - more
  

     Steel prices cycle down from early 2023 spikes - The drop in sheet prices that we’ve seen at the mill level is now spreading downstream—an abrupt shift from just a few weeks ago, according to our latest survey data. - more

     Port workers allegedly steal NT$24 million worth of metal imports in South Taiwan - Two Kaohsiung port workers are suspected of leading a criminal group of 17 members that allegedly stole NT$24 million (NT$780,000) worth of metal imports by tampering with a weighbridge. - more

   Other News

• US imposes sanctions on hundreds of targets in fresh Russia action - more
• Greenpeace To Shut Down In Russia After Being Declared ‘Undesirable Organization’ - more
  

  Economic Stats and Prices (posted in Friday edition)

  Daily Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing 

• Nickel closed Thursday's trading session at $9.48/lb ($20,910/tonne). Indicators at 6:30 am CST today show nickel trading around $.39/lb higher. Stockpiles of nickel stored in LME licensed warehouses went unchanged on Thursday and remains just over the 39,150 tonne level. Shanghai nickel was skeptical of LME's increase on Wednesday and downright dismissive of LME's close below the $21,000 tonne level yesterday, and rose overnight to 167,300 y./t. Following their earlier lead, LME nickel is bouncing this morning, albeit with a little more gusto. More forecasts on nickel prices, although more of a general sentiment at an industry show and less on price predictions. The International Stainless Steel Forum is forecasting stainless steel consumption for 2023 to remain the same as it was in 2022. And Great Britain announces it will ban imports of Russian nickel. Stay safe out there and enjoy your weekend!
  
• Average price of LME traded cash nickel so far this month - $10.43/lb
  

    Thursday's market review - Base metals fall with strong dollar - Copper prices fell in London on Thursday after solid U.S. economic data pushed the dollar to fresh seven-week peaks and inventories in warehouses registered with the London Metal Exchange (LME) rose. - more

     Nickel prices seen falling as global surplus looms - Global nickel prices are poised to decline over the next few years as top producer Indonesia ramps up supplies and production costs fall, industry watchers predicted at metals conferences this week. - more

   Analysis: GM's 2025 EV output could be crimped by battery bottleneck - General Motors has said it will have the capacity to build 1 million electric vehicles in North America by 2025, but a slow ramp-up of its three U.S. battery plants could limit actual EV production to less than 600,000 at mid-decade, according to a forecast and analysis prepared for Reuters. - more

   Other News

• 'Miners excavating nickel illegally in Sukinda Valley' - more
  
• Zijin Mining halts operations at Colombia mine after attack - more
• Despite high inflation, households haven’t yet depleted their pandemic-related savings - more
  

  Economic Stats and Prices (posted in Friday edition)

  Daily Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing 

• Nickel closed Wednesday's trading session at $9.68/lb ($21,345/tonne). Indicators at 6:00 am CST today show nickel trading around $.05/lb lower. Stockpiles of nickel stored in LME licensed warehouses fell slightly on Wednesday and start the day just over the 39,150 tonne level. Shanghai nickel closed slightly higher at 165,450 y/t. Nickel continues to trade above the $21,000 tonne level, but a stronger US Dollar is keeping negative pressure on trading. Both President Biden and Speaker McCarthy have reassured Americans they will not allow the U.S. to default on its debt, but negotiations continue. Stay safe out there and have a great day!
  
• Average price of LME traded cash nickel so far this month - $10.50/lb
  

    Wednesday's market review - China, inventories and dollar push copper to 5-1/2 month low - Copper prices hit 5-1/2 month lows on Wednesday, coming under pressure from deteriorating demand prospects in top consumer China, climbing inventories in London Metal Exchange (LME) approved warehouses and a higher dollar. - more

     Sherritt International reports second fatality at Cuba mine in a month - Canada's Sherritt International Corp said on Wednesday an employee died at its Moa joint venture mine in Cuba after falling from a ladder, the second fatality at the mine in a month. - more

     The Plunge in Bid Prices for Ferrochrome by Mainstream Stainless Steel Mills was Sharper than Expected in April - Bid prices by mainstream stainless steel mills in April plunged more than the market had expected by 600 yuan/mt (Cr 50%). Bid prices by Tsingshan Group fell to 8,795 yuan/mt (Cr 50%). - more

• Increasing input costs support Chinese Ferro chrome prices - more
  

   Other News

• Indonesia exports plunge amid weaker China demand  - more
• Global debt nears record highs as rate hikes trigger ‘crisis of adaptation,’ top trade body says - more
  

  Economic Stats and Prices (posted in Friday edition)

  Daily Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing 

• Nickel closed Tuesday's trading session at $9.56/lb ($21,070/tonne). Indicators at 6:00 am CST today show nickel trading around $.10/lb higher. Stockpiles of nickel stored in LME licensed warehouses fell on Tuesday and ended that session just under the 39,200 tonne level. Shanghai nickel fell slightly overnight, to 165,300 y/t. Nickel came very close to falling below the $21,000 tonne level yesterday, and is crawling away from the edge this morning. Yesterday's close was the lowest for LME nickel since early September 2022. The Euro continues to slump against the U.S. Dollar so the negative pressure on commodities continues. Another day with a good range of industry news so we leave you to it. Stay safe out there and have a great hump day!
  
• Average price of LME traded cash nickel so far this month - $10.58/lb
  

     Tuesday's market review - Copper slips as Chinese data points to weak demand - Copper prices fell on Tuesday as data from top consumer China suggested that its economic recovery is losing momentum, worsening the outlook for metals demand. - more

      Future of Canada's mining industry hangs on who gets U.S. subsidies, with nickel the 'litmus test' - Execs worry a quirk in the Inflation Reduction Act could allow nickel powerhouse Indonesia to qualify for tax incentives, making it almost impossible for North American companies to compete  - more

     EU raw material targets need money and faster permits, sector chief says - The European Union will only meet ambitious targets to reduce its reliance on China and other countries for critical materials by rapidly scaled-up financing and accelerated permitting, according to the head of an EU sector alliance. - more

     Courtesy AISI - In the week ending on May 13, 2023, domestic raw steel production was 1,725,000 net tons while the capability utilization rate was 76.7 percent. Production was 1,771,000 net tons in the week ending May 13, 2022 while the capability utilization then was 81.1 percent.  - more

   Other News

• LME works with Chinese commodities exchange to launch EV battery metal contracts as demand, prices surge - more
• People Buy from People - Until They Don't - more
  

  Economic Stats and Prices (posted in Friday edition)

  Daily Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing 

• Nickel closed Monday's trading session at $9.81/lb  ($21,635/tonne). Indicators at 6:00 am CST today show nickel trading around $.07/lb lower. Stockpiles of nickel stored in LME licensed warehouses fell slightly on Monday and started today's session just over the 39,250 tonne level. Lot of news today including another forecast. More on LME's new inspection requirements for nickel stored in their licensed warehouses. China's pumping some stimulus into their economy to help pop it up.  Stay safe out there and have a great day!
  
• Average price of LME traded cash nickel so far this month - $10.68/lb
  

    Monday's market review - Copper prices rebound with China liquidity injection - Copper prices rose on Monday as a liquidity injection by China’s central bank demonstrated support for the Chinese economy and helped the metal recover from a five-month low hit last week. - more

• Profits of Stainless Steel Mills Decrease Last Week amid Firm Costs and Lower Stainless Steel Prices - more
• Potential Economic Recession Weighed on Nickel Prices - more
• Base Metals: China Flatters to Deceive - more
  

     Worldsteel Stainless Steel Markets Media Release -  World stainless steel consumption changes - pdf here

     Taiwan’s stainless steel straight bar imports & exports decrease in Apr m-o-m - According to statistics from Taiwan Customs, Taiwan’s stainless steel straight bar imports totaled around 540 tons in April this year, falling by 24% compared to the previous month. - more

     UBS bearish on nickel - Investment bank UBS today put out a note to the market underlining the disparate supply demand fundamentals in the nickel market, saying it expected downward pressure on prices “at some point”. - more

     LME to require warehouses to feel their nickel bags after heist - The London Metal Exchange is tightening rules for handling nickel by its network of warehouses, following the shock discovery earlier this year that some of its nickel contracts were instead backed by bags of stones. - more

• LME Fights to Regain Trust After Last Year’s Nickel Crisis - more
  

     Iron ore slump shows Chinese economy is still struggling - Iron ore’s drop to a five-month low adds to concerns over the strength of China’s economic recovery. - more

     Is nickel mining for EVs fueling abuses in Southeast Asia? - As electric vehicle sales soar, report warns of rights and environmental risks in nickel producers Indonesia and the Philippines. - more

   Other News

• Average Canada home price is up more than $100,000 since January - more
• Mapping net migration by county - more
• The living wage gap in metal fabrication - more
• “Radical change:” How EV transition and new critical minerals will reshape the world - more
  

  Economic Stats and Prices (posted in Friday edition)

  Daily Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing 

• Nickel closed Friday's trading session at $10.11/lb ($22,280/tonne). Indicators at 6:00 am CST today show nickel trading around $.02/lb lower. Stockpiles of nickel stored in LME licensed warehouses is being reported as unchanged on Friday but at least one media source is reporting they are having a problem receiving information from the LME this morning. So "unchanged" is subject to correction in tomorrow's update.  The LME is requiring  new checks on nickel bags after they found some last year filled with worthless rocks. China is increasing production of stainless steel this month, although any evidence that demand is likewise increasing is sketchy at best. Commentary linked below by  Joost van Kleef, Chairman of the Stainless Steel & Special Alloys Committee, Bureau of International Recycling, is worth reading. And a ton of reports linked below. It's a new week and a start to the last half of the month. Stay safe out there and have a great week!
  
• Average price of LME traded cash nickel so far this month -
  

    Friday's market review - Demand blues push copper prices to lowest in more than five months - Copper prices hit their lowest level in more than five months on Friday as fears of slowing demand in top consumer China, rising inventories and a stronger dollar reinforced negative sentiment. - more

      A watershed year for nickel pricing? - During my time as Chairman of the BIR Stainless Steel & Special Alloys Committee, I have typically incorporated a summary of LME nickel highs and lows in my reviews of the previous year. - more

     China’s scheduled production of stainless steel increases in May - The scheduled production of stainless steel in China increased significantly in May. The planned production totaled more than 2.5 million tons, a new high in the year. - more

     Steel consumption in Mexico rises in March while production falls - The apparent consumption of liquid steel in Mexico totaled 2.77 million metric tons (mt) in March, 7.5 percent more than the same month last year. - more

   Other News

  Economic Stats and Prices (posted in Friday edition)

  Daily Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing 

• Nickel closed Thursday's trading session at $9.90/lb ($21,825/tonne). Indicators at 6:00 am CST today show nickel trading around $.24/lb higher. Stockpiles of nickel stored in LME licensed warehouse rose slightly yesterday and started today just under the 39,300 tonne level. Shanghai nickel closed lower overnight, down to 168,910 y/t. LME nickel is bouncing hard this morning after trading at levels not seen since last October. China reports imports of stainless steel fell, but exports rose, showing further evidence of a slow internal recovery in that country. It's Friday and the weekend is just around the corner. Be safe out there and have a restful or eventful weekend!
  
• Average price of LME traded cash nickel so far this month - $10.85/lb
  

    Thursday's market review - Weak China inflation data pushes copper prices to a five-month low - Prices for copper and other base metals fell in London on Thursday, hitting multi-month lows, after inflation data from the top consumer China added to concerns over the strength of the country’s economic recovery. - more

     China’s stainless steel imports decline by 34.14 percent in March - In March this year, China imported 123,300 mt of stainless steel products, down 34.14 percent month on month, while declining by 48.61 percent year on year, as announced by the Chinese customs authorities. - more

• China’s stainless steel net exports soar in Mar m-o-m - more
  

     IREPAS in Barcelona: Challenging times for global longs industry - he 88th meeting of IREPAS (the International Rebar Exporters and Producers Association) was held in Barcelona, on May 7-9, 2023, in conjunction with the SteelOrbis Spring ’23 Conference. - more

     Opinion: Alarming drop in mining derails drive for Net Zero - The latest key Canadian and global mining production numbers are out, and they’re grim. The International Energy Agency says that to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, we need to be producing six times the current global output of mineral inputs just to build the turbines, transmission lines, batteries and other items essential for low-carbon energy infrastructure. - more

   Other News

• UPS, Teamsters Open High-Stakes U.S. Labor Talks - more
• How the EU’s carbon border tax will affect the global metals trade - more
• Community members target trains ferrying chrome ore, looting minerals from moving trains - more
  

  Economic Stats and Prices (posted in Friday edition)

  Daily Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing 

• Nickel closed Wednesday's trading session at $10.23/lb ($22,560/tonne). Indicators at 6:00 am CST today show nickel trading around $.15/lb lower. Stockpiles of nickel stored in LME licensed warehouses fell on Wednesday and started today just over the 39,250 tonne level. Shanghai nickel decided to join in nickel's run for the border and fell nearly 5% overnight, down to 169,580 y/t. The Euro continues to slip against the U.S. Dollar, which typically adds negative pricing pressure on London traded base metals, although if fundamentals still mean anything to trading houses, the import numbers out of China sent a shock wave through the market earlier in the week. Indonesia is getting yet another Chinese run nickel project while a Japanese steel mill is getting a new electric arc furnace for stainless steel production. Stay safe out there and have a great day!
  
• Average price of LME traded cash nickel so far this month - $10.98/lb
  

    Wednesday's market review - Weak Chinese demand outlook punishes copper - Copper and other industrial metals fell on Wednesday after weak trade data from top consumer China cemented expectations that demand will remain lackluster. - more

     JFE Steel to install new EAF at Chiba District facility for stainless steel production - JFE Steel, one of the leading steel manufacturers in Japan, announced its plan to install a new electric arc furnace (EAF) at the No. 4 steelmaking shop of its Chiba District facility, with a cost of around 15 billion yen. - more

     China's GEM to build a $500 million joint nickel project in Indonesia - China's GEM Co Ltd, a battery and material recycler, announced on Thursday a $500 million joint investment to build a nickel project in Indonesia. - more

• To meet EV demand, industry turns to technology long deemed hazardous - more
  

   Other News

• China is not the real risk for Europe, Qin Gang warns Berlin hosts - more
• Factbox: China's oil, commodities import from Russia - more
  

  Economic Stats and Prices (posted in Friday edition)

  Daily Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing 

• Nickel closed Tuesday's trading session at $10.67/lb ($23,520/tonne). Indicators at 6:00 am CST today show nickel trading around $.18/lb lower. Stockpiles of nickel stored in LME licensed warehouses fell on Tuesday and ended that session just under the 39,450 tonne level. Cancelled warrants registered just under the 6% level. Shanghai nickel was quiet overnight, ending at 179,460 y/t. Nickel fell over $1000/tonne yesterday and is apparently looking at the $23,000 tonne level for support this morning. Troubling import numbers out of China appear to have shaken traders confidence in that country's recovery. The U.S. Dollar is up as currency trades refuse to believe U.S. politicians will allow the country to default on its debts. Stay safe out there and have a great hump day!
  
• Average price of LME traded cash nickel so far this month - $11.08/lb
  

    Tuesday's market review - Copper steady, but China demand fears shackle sentiment - Copper prices held steady on Tuesday but came under pressure after data from top consumer China raised concern over weak economic growth and metals demand while rising inventories and a firm dollar reinforced negative sentiment. - more

     Nickel Mining Puts Indonesian Fishers On Edge - Last year, the environmental group Friends of the Earth Indonesia sent a petition to Elon Musk, urging him not to invest in Indonesia’s expanding nickel industry. - more

     After decades of controversy, can the mining industry come clean? - Efficient energy storage is key to the fight against climate change. Batteries for vehicles and to store energy from renewable power installations, are estimated to have the potential to slash carbon emissions in the transport and power sectors by 30%, according to the World Economic Forum. - more

   Other News

• China imports plunge, export growth slows as recovery wanes - more
  

  Economic Stats and Prices (posted in Friday edition)

  Daily Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing 

• Nickel closed Friday's trading session at $11.13/lb ($24,530/tonne). LME was closed on Monday. Indicators at 6:00 am CST today show nickel trading around $.17/lb lower. Stockpiles of nickel stored in LME licensed warehouses fell on Friday and Monday and started today's trading just over the 39,900 tonne level. Shanghai nickel dropped sharply overnight, and closed at 179,710 y/t, a low for May. LME nickel is trading lower this morning, but considering the fall in the Euro and Shanghai's pessimism overnight, traders appear to be more bullish in the western world. Indonesia has advised it will base its appeal to the World Trade Organization against the ruling it lost against the EU, that its nickel ore is "its" nickel ore, and only Indonesia itself has the right to determine its end use. Not really sure how Indonesia lost this case, or if there is some obscure agreement somewhere that trumped common sense, but regardless of the inconvenience this export ban might have caused some foreign importers, in our opinion, Indonesia's nickel is as much theirs as Saudi Arabia's oil is theirs. We suspect our government, as well as any of Europe's, would take serious issue with the WTO advising them that some obscure foreign country had a say in what they did with their natural resources. Then again, what do we know. Stay safe out there and have a great Tuesday!
  
• Average price of LME traded cash nickel so far this month - $11.14/lb
  

    Yesterday's market review - LME markets closed on Monday.

     US postpones issuing of final ruling on AD circumvention probe on stainless steel round wire from Vietnam - The US Department of Commerce (USDOC) extended the deadline to issue its final determination of an anti-dumping (AD) duty circumvention investigation on stainless steel round wire from Vietnam to May 24, 2023. - more

     Steelmaker Outokumpu tops Q1 forecasts, sees Q2 at similar level - Finnish stainless steel maker Outokumpu on Tuesday beat expectations for first-quarter sales and earnings, sending its shares up nearly 10%, boosted by strong performance across the board even as volumes weakened from a year earlier. - more

     Indonesia's argument on nickel dispute at WTO to rest on equality - Indonesia will raise the issue of equality in its appeal against the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling on the nickel export ban, which went in favor of the European Union, Deputy Minister of Trade Jerry Sambuaga said. - more

     Walsin Lihwa takes another big step forward in field of stainless steel by taking 70% of equity of SMP - Cogne Acciai Speciali (CAS), an Italian subsidiary of Walsin Lihwa, signed a contract with German private equity fund Mutares to acquire 100% equity of Special Melted Products (SMP) in the UK for £144 million. From then on, Walsin Lihwa will indirectly hold 70% of SMP's shares. - more

   Other News

• Ukrainian steel giant asks staff to work remotely amid May 9 attack fears - more
• Warehouses Are on a Journey to Going ‘Dark.’ How Long a Trip Will It Be? - more
  

  Economic Stats and Prices (posted in Friday edition)

  Daily Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing 

• Nickel closed Friday's trading session at $11.13/lb ($24,530/tonne). Indicators at 6:00 am CST today show nickel trading untraded as London is closed today in celebration of a new coronated King. China nickel ended higher overnight, ending at 185,130 y/t. The Euro dropped over the weekend, and unless it recovers today, this could put negative pressure on base metals trading in London on Tuesday. Stay safe out there and have a great week!
  
• Average price of LME traded cash nickel so far this month - $11.14/lb
  

    Friday's market review - Jobs data staunches copper's losses - Copper prices rose on Friday after strong U.S. jobs data brightened the near-term economic outlook, but the gains only offset losses suffered earlier in the week due to lackluster demand in China and rising inventories. - more

     China’s crude stainless steel production grows in Q1 y-o-y - Stainless steel production totaled around 8.27 million tons in the first quarter of this year, growing by 4.11% compared to the same period a year ago. - more

• Indonesia, Nickel and the EV Supply Chain - more
  
• The Nickel Pickle - more
  

     Taiwan’s stainless steel market to be supported by rebounded nickel prices - Driven by the rebound in China’s stainless steel prices and the weakening US dollar, the international nickel price has recently risen back with an increase of nearly 7%, which supports Taiwan’s stainless steel prices.  - more

   Other News

• Analysis: Xi, not Trump, started on path to decoupling - more
• Ukraine says its newly fielded U.S. Patriot system downed a Russian hypersonic missile - more
  

  Economic Stats and Prices (posted in Friday edition)

  Daily Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing 

• Nickel closed Thursday's trading session at $10.90/lb ($24,040/tonne). Indicators at 6:00 am CST today show nickel trading around $.06/lb higher. Stockpiles of nickel stored in LME licensed warehouses rose on Thursday and started today's trading session, just over the 40,100 tonne level. Shanghai nickel ended lower overnight, down to 183,260 y/t. First week of May is nearly in the bag, with very little related news to be had. Stay safe out there and have a great weekend!
  
• Average price of LME traded cash nickel so far this month - $11.25/lb
  

    Thursday's market review - Copper drifts higher on possible Fed pause, firm dollar weighs - Copper prices edged up on Thursday after the U.S. central bank signaled a pause on rate hikes, but gains were subdued as the dollar climbed and investors worried about demand in top metals consumer China. - more

     African Chrome Fields to unveil $40m smelting plant in Zimbabwe - This revolutionary factory will bring value-added services back to Africa, rather than seeing it export its chrome overseas for beneficiation, says the company's MD  - more

     China’s Baosteel signs deal with Saudi Aramco, PIF to build ‘green steel’ plant as part of Belt and Road Initiative - Baosteel will invest US$437.5 million for a 50 per cent stake in the proposed joint venture with Saudi Aramco and Public Investment Fund - more

   Other News

• Tesla Stops Producing Megapacks In Nevada, New Opportunities At Factory - more
• Danske Commodities profit soars amid 'unprecedented' volatility - more
  

  Economic Stats and Prices (posted in Friday edition)

  Daily Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing 

• Nickel closed Wednesday's trading session at $11.24/lb ($24,775/tonne). Indicators at 6:00 am CST today show nickel trading around $.06/lb higher. Stockpiles of nickel stored in LME licensed warehouses fell on Wednesday and ended that session just over the 39,600 tonne level. Shanghai returned to trading overnight, and nickel rose to 187,280 y/t. Your average  commodity costs for April, compared to March are as follows - Nickel - $10.77/lb up from $10.56/lb;  Chromium - $5.10/lb unchanged from March; and Molybdenum - $21.81/lb down from $31.97/lb. The Fed raised its benchmark rate by 1/4 point to 5.1% yesterday, as markets expected, and hinted it may pause further increases. Stay safe out there and have a great Thursday!
  
• Average price of LME traded cash nickel so far this month - $11.19/lb
  

    Wednesday's market review -  Aluminium, copper prices fall with global outlook concerns  -  Aluminum and copper prices in London fell on Wednesday as investors awaited the U.S. Federal Reserve’s decision on interest rates as concerns about global economic growth persist. - more

     Indonesia cuts tax breaks to discourage low-quality nickel investment -  Indonesia has cut tax incentives to limit investment in lower quality nickel products as it aims to extract as much value as possible from its rich nickel reserves and push for further downstream investment, a cabinet minister said on Wednesday. - more

     LME agrees settlement with broker Sucden with a penalty of $125,460 - The London Metal Exchange (LME) said on Wednesday it had agreed a settlement with commodities broker Sucden Financial Limited (SFL) in which Sucden would pay a financial penalty of 100,000 pounds ($125,460). - more

     Taiwan’s stainless steel wire rod prices hikes for May on increased costs - Taiwan’s wire rod mills announced their new prices for May in succession last week, most of them maintained prices or took individual bargaining ways. - more

     POSCO Holdings to Build Nickel Plant for Secondary Batteries in Indonesia - POSCO Holdings announced on May 3 that it will invest US$441 million (about 590 billion won) to build a new nickel smelting plant in Wedabay Industrial Park on Halmahera Island in Indonesia, ranking first in nickel reserves and production. - more

     US Senator Rubio seeks probe of Ford's Chinese partnership on nickel plant - U.S. Senator Marco Rubio on Wednesday asked the Biden administration to investigate Ford Motor Co's plan to partner with PT Vale Indonesia and China's Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt in a $4.5 billion nickel processing plant in Indonesia. - more

     Worst seems to be behind, but steel demand to remain negative in 2023 - The year 2022 came to a close with a sharper-than-anticipated recession in apparent steel consumption (-7.2%) as steel demand shrank significantly, due to the energy crisis and the impact of the war in Ukraine. - more

  Economic Stats and Prices (posted in Friday edition)

  Daily Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing 

• Nickel closed Tuesday's trading session at $11.33/lb ($24,980/tonne). Indicators at 6:00 am CST today show nickel trading around $.02/lb lower. Stockpiles of nickel stored in LME licensed warehouses fell slightly on Tuesday and started today just below the 40,000 tonne level. Shanghai markets were closed again overnight and will return to normal business hours tonight. Nickel jumped yesterday with the $25,000 tonne level ending the trading day. This morning the bears and bulls are playing tug of war over that level, while markets are thought to be waiting for the U.S. Fed's decision on interest rates later today. Not much news out there, so stay safe, and have a great hump day!
  
• Average price of LME traded cash nickel so far this month - $10.99/lb
  

    Tuesday's market review - Copper retreats from one-week high as Chinese factory data weighs - Copper hit a one-week high on Tuesday as speculators followed short-term bullish signals, but later pulled back on weak factory activity in top metals consumer China and uncertainty about U.S. interest rates. - more

     POSCO decides to freeze stainless steel prices for May - South Korean steelmaker POSCO announced last Friday that it decided to freeze prices for both 300 and 400 series stainless steel sheets for May in order to stabilize the domestic market. - more

     POSCO to build US$441 mln nickel refining facility in Indonesia - POSCO Holdings Inc. said Wednesday it is spending US$441 million to build a nickel refining facility in Indonesia as it pushes to beef up its supply chains of the key secondary battery material. - more

     Courtesy AISI - In the week ending on April 29, 2023, domestic raw steel production was 1,716,000 net tons while the capability utilization rate was 76.3 percent. Production was 1,788,000 net tons in the week ending April 29, 2022 while the capability utilization then was 81.9 percent. The current week production represents a 4.0 percent decrease from the same period in the previous year.  - more

   Other News

• Another Record Broken: Q1 Electric Vehicle Sales Surpass 250,000, as EV Market Share in the U.S. Jumps to 7.2% of Total Sales - more
• FedEx Freight to close 29 locations, furlough more workers - more
  

  Economic Stats and Prices (posted in Friday edition)

  Daily Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing 

• Nickel closed Friday's trading session at $10.98/lb ($24,210/tonne). Indicators at 5:50 am CST today show nickel trading around $.07/lb lower. Stockpiles of nickel stored in LME licensed warehouses rose slightly on Friday and start this shortened trading week just over the 40,000 tonne level. Shanghai markets remain closed thru Wednesday. Purchasing indexes for April are out, and while all four we follow remain in the negative, or in China's case, dipped into the negative, the U.S. and Japan moved slightly higher. (all four here) Stainless prices are mixed around the world, with surcharges mixed here in the U.S. It's month number five and one of the longer months of the year. Just think, in two months the days start getting shorter again. Stay safe out there and have a great day!
  
• Average price of LME traded cash nickel so far this month - $10.78/lb (average April)
  

    Friday's market review - Copper steady but remains set for monthly loss - Copper prices steadied on Friday as China pledged to boost growth in the world’s top metals consumer, but gains were capped by weak demand and signs of a slowing global economy. - more

    SA chrome tycoon 'pays millions' to Zanu-PF chefs - A firm controlled by one of South Africa's richest tycoons suspiciously moved millions of United States dollars to politically connected Zimbabwean companies and powerful individuals, about five years ago, a new report said this week, claiming the funds were illicitly paid. - more

   Russia's Nornickel board recommends no dividend for first time in 14 years - Norilsk Nickel’s board has recommended not paying dividends on its 2022 results for the first time in 14 years, citing “negative geopolitics,” but may consider paying interim dividends, the Russian mining group said on Friday. - more

   Other News

• Ranked: World’s biggest nickel projects - more
  
• Asia's Q1 piracy incidents up 9% on year: ReCAAP - more
  

  Economic Stats and Prices (posted in Friday edition)