The spiralling cost of energy and emissions allowances in Europe continues to undermine the economics of Europe’s zinc production. Capacity reductions and smelter closures will exacerbate acute zinc supply pressures in Europe, where visible inventory is at critical lows. This should continue to underpin the LME zinc price, spreads and regional physical premiums in Q1 […]
December 22, 2021
AMT’s chosen charities AMT has picked The Fostering Network and Turn2us, two UK-based charities aligned with its principles, as its chosen charities for 2022. AMT will make a donation to both charities in lieu of sending greetings cards over the holiday season. Both charities will be beneficiaries of AMT’s charitable activities throughout 2022. The Fostering […]
December 17, 2021
Base metal availability and pricing remain sensitive to trends in supply-chain inventory requirements amid global shipping disruption. A bullwhip effect may be playing out in the global goods sector. This could weigh on prices if global freight issues ease during 2022. Growing barriers and risks to international metals trade may drive governments to develop or […]
December 10, 2021
Base metal prices have proved largely resilient to emerging risks to economic growth. This is amid persisting signs of acute physical tightness across the complex. Abnormally backwardated forward curves, sustained pressure on LME inventories, and elevated physical premiums are the clearest indicators. Backwardations Everywhere Notable tightness has developed across nearby LME spreads for all the […]
December 3, 2021
Why are metal prices plummeting? Base metals prices aggressively retreated in the second half of October after China’s coal price collapsed following government intervention. Coal’s rout suggests easing power rationing and lower energy costs for metal producers. Fresh visibility of the impact of power shortages and related supply-chain disruption on downstream industrial activity and, by […]
November 3, 2021
What do these magnesium shortages mean? China produces the majority of the world’s magnesium but domestic power curbs have significantly disrupted output, triggering fears of a major global shortage. The metal is essential for producing aluminium alloys for the auto industry, among other applications. This threatens fresh automotive sector shutdowns and associated base metals demand. […]
October 29, 2021
Why is copper rebounding? Escalating physical market tightness has jolted the copper price into life after several months of directionless trading. Declining copper exchange inventories and heightened inflation concerns prompted by the global energy crisis have acted as a catalyst for historically extreme LME spread tightness and a resurgence in 3M prices to within a […]
October 20, 2021
On Wednesday 6th October AMT hosted a free virtual tin market webinar. This was organised as a series of panels where a range of industry experts reflected on an unprecedented year for tin and debated the future prospects for the market. Video recordings of the two expert panel discussions and AMT’s tin market review presentation […]
October 6, 2021
What do global energy changes mean for metal prices? Governments globally are ramping up efforts to reduce fossil fuel dependency. This is to meet ambitious decarbonisation goals and curb industrial pollution. China has curbed smelter production and capacity growth to meet energy targets. This has been price-supportive, most notably for aluminium. However, Europe’s developing energy […]
September 27, 2021