US Cu: Demand and premiums flat

: Metals
24/10/23

US grade A copper cathode premiums were unchanged on tepid demand and increased inventory.

Argus assessed Grade A copper cathode premiums at 8-12¢/lb delivered Midwest on Wednesday, holding at its lowest adder since mid-July.

Spot copper cathode demand continued its lackluster performance, with consumers filling demand with contracted material.

Copper cathodes in registered exchange warehouses were up for the week as combined cathode stockpiles for the three major copper exchanges rose by 1.2pc to a total of 522,150 metric tonnes (t) in the past week. The total was 93pc higher when compared to a year earlier.

The London Metal Exchange (LME) copper cathode stock total fell for a fifth consecutive day and to its lowest total since 6 August when it was down by 0.2pc to 279,625t on Wednesday. The LME was down just over 3pc when compared to a week earlier but remained 47pc higher than the prior year.

The Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) weekly copper inventory was up by 7.6pc at 168,425t on Friday. The total was at a six-week high after rising for a third week and was 189pc higher year-over-year.

The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) stockpile total grew for a fourth consecutive day and 26 of the past 27 days. The total rose by 1.4pc to 74,100t on Tuesday.

CME stockpiles were up over 4.8pc when compared to a week earlier and at its highest since the middle of May 2022.

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24/10/30

US economy grows by 2.8pc in 3Q, led by consumers

Houston, 30 October (Argus) — The US economy grew by an annualized 2.8pc in the third quarter, led by consumer and government spending and exports. Gross domestic product (GDP) growth slowed from 3pc in the second quarter, the Commerce Department reported today. Personal consumption grew at a 3.7pc pace, up from 2.8pc in the second quarter and 3.5pc a year earlier. Today's GDP estimate is the first of three for the quarter, and comes in slightly below analyst estimates in a Trading Economics survey of 3pc growth. The latest figure marks a 10th quarter of GDP growth since a 1pc contraction in the first quarter of 2022. It comes ahead of a closely fought presidential election on 5 November in which the health of the economy is a major issue. Exports grew by 8.9pc in the latest quarter compared with 1pc in the second quarter. Imports, which subtract from growth, grew by 11.2pc. Government spending, including investment for defense, rose by 5pc following 3.1pc growth in the second quarter. Private domestic investment slowed to 0.3pc growth from 8.3pc growth. Residential investment fell by 5.1pc, as the housing market remains in a downturn, after declining by 2.8pc in the second quarte r. By Bob Willis Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

US Ni: Cathode premiums under pressure

24/10/24

US Ni: Cathode premiums under pressure

Houston, 24 October (Argus) — The US 4x4inch cathode spot premiums for refined nickel dropped this week as demand from stainless steel consumers remained soft. Nickel premiums for full truckload melting grade 4x4inch cathodes were assessed at 60-65¢/lb, down from 65-70¢/lb, while premiums for briquettes were assessed unchanged at 30-35¢/lb from last week. Nickel prices have been volatile on the London Metal Exchange (LME) recently, falling to a 30-day low this week. The official three-month LME nickel settled at $16,280/metric tonne (t) on Thursday, down by 3.6pc from $16,880/t on 17 October. Specialty stainless steel demand is expected to be soft for the balance of the year. Spot nickel market has been quiet, with most consumers requirements were mostly satisfied with annual contracts. Sources reported 4x4inch off cuts from Indonesia were offered to US consumers at a reduced rate. The US is not necessarily a preferred destination for Indonesia nickel due to transportation delays and payment terms. Global nickel stocks in LME warehouses increased by 1.1pc to 135,816t, from 134,322t a week earlier. The LME nickel daily cash month-to-date average for October is $17,101/t ($7.76/lb), compared with the full month September average of $16,117/t ($7.31/lb). Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Q&A: Aço Brasil to ask for steel tariff adjustment

24/10/24

Q&A: Aço Brasil to ask for steel tariff adjustment

Sao Paulo, 24 October (Argus) — Little has changed in the Brazilian steel market after nearly four months of a new tariff system intended to curb the increase of imported products. January-September imports rose by 24pc from the same period a year ago, totaling 4.6mn metric tonnes (t), surpassing what was expected for the full year. The tariffs, hailed by some market participants as missing the mark , was followed by other government measures, such as temporary antidumping measures and antidumping reviews. Industry group Aço Brasil's executive president Marco Polo de Mello Lopes spoke to Argus about the recent measures taken by the Brazilian government. This interview has been translated from Portuguese and edited for clarity. The government's June decision imposed a quota system for importers, along with a tariff increase. How does Aço Brasil see that decision's effects now? We are only four months into the tariff quota system. We have been following everything with a very large magnifying glass and we have some concerns. The tariff quota system has not brought the expected reduction [to import volumes], though it is too early to reach a conclusion. But it brought a change in the trend of what had been happening. At the beginning of the year there was an increase in products in general, but when you check June, July, August and September, you see that imports are decreasing every month. As we had a very high first half, we did not reach what was expected in terms of imports. So far, we see that we have not achieved the reduction objective, but we have achieved the objective of stopping the escalation in relation to these imports. What are Aço Brasil's main concerns with the June policy? It was identified that there was an increase in imports from Egypt and Peru. Egypt has a preferential agreement in relation to what would be a Mercosur-Egypt agreement. We are already evaluating to see what to do specifically regarding the fact that imports are increasing using the trade agreement umbrella. Another area of great concern is the excessive volume of imports that are entering through Manaus [the capital of northern Amazonas state]. It is strange that imports have increased without corresponding [demand] growth [at] the industrial park in Manaus. We continue monitoring to hold new meetings with the government. Brazil's executive management committee of the chamber of foreign trade (Gecex) last week ruled on the tariff increase for some steel products regardless of the import volume, unlike the first decision by the committee earlier this year. What is Aço Brasil's view on that decision? We understand that it is positive — it means there is recognition from the government that there are predatory imports that cause great concern in the sector. It couldn't have been any other way. So [we see it as a] very positive [measure]. The claim that had been made since the beginning was a 25pc [tariff hike]. It was always 25pc because it is what the world has been practicing. If the government approves it, it is within what was expected. What are the next steps for Aço Brasil to improve the situation for Brazilian steelmakers? We will certainly make requests to change the system. We are going to make some kind of movement, but it cannot be done now because there is already an [established] system. Imagine if companies that invested and spent energy and obtained a quota then had the government saying that they no longer have a quota, and could not challenge the decision in the courts. Any changes that may be made must be made following the renewal process of the current system, which would be in June 2025. By Carolina Pulice Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Boeing workers reject labor deal, extend strike

24/10/24

Boeing workers reject labor deal, extend strike

Houston, 24 October (Argus) — Striking Boeing employees spurned a tentative labor deal struck between the aircraft maker and union leadership, continuing a costly work stoppage that has halted production of the company's flagship 737 MAX aircraft, along with its 767 and 777 widebody programs. Up to 64pc of factory workers backed by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) on Wednesday voted to reject the company's offer, which promised a 35pc general wage increase spread over four years and increased company retirement account contributions. That pay raise, while an improvement over Boeing's first offer of 25pc, ultimately fell short of the 40pc increase sought by workers. Another sticking point centered around the return of employees' pension plans, which was not included in the latest proposal. Boeing had no comment on the vote's outcome. Ending the strike has been the priority of new Boeing chief executive Kelly Ortberg, who assumed the leadership position in August. The five-week work stoppage likely has cost the company $4.5bn based on the latest estimates from Anderson Economic Group and has forced Boeing to delay its goal of increasing 737 MAX build rates to 38/month by the end of the year. The company reported a third quarter loss of $6.2bn on revenues of $17.8bn. The strike's continuance also will exacerbate slowdowns within Boeing's supply chain, which "it turned off in many cases" because of the labor action. The company confirmed it had stopped shipments from certain suppliers, effectively shutting them down and forcing some to announce furloughs — including at its shipset supplier Spirit Aerosystems . Boeing is keeping other suppliers running "hot," either because the company felt some were behind on shipments or because risks were too great to shut them down. That latter group likely includes titanium melters, whom Boeing wants to keep operating at high levels to meet demand requirements for when the aerospace manufacturer increases ramp rates starting in 2025. Still, several market participants within the titanium value chain have expressed concerns to Argus that an extended strike could disrupt future scrap generation in the US, saying there remains enough inventoried material in the pipeline to cover near-term demand. It remains to be seen when negotiations between Boeing and union leadership will resume. The most recent round of talks were mediated by Julie Su, the acting secretary of the US Labor Department. By Alex Nicoll Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Anglo American 3Q iron ore output up, met coal down

24/10/24

Anglo American 3Q iron ore output up, met coal down

London, 24 October (Argus) — UK-South African mining firm Anglo American boosted iron ore production on the quarter and year in July-September, driven by record output from Brazil's Minas-Rio facility. But coking coal output was down after a fire at Australia's 5mn t/yr Grosvenor mine in late June. Anglo American's 2024 iron ore production guidance is unchanged at 58mn-62mn t. Overall Anglo American iron ore output increased by 2pc on the year, as an 11pc rise at Minas-Rio offset a 3pc decline at South Africa's Kumba site. The drop at Kumba was attributed to a change in a third party's logistical capacity. Realised prices were 3pc below the market benchmark at Minas-Rio, which the firm attributes to a large volume of sales being priced on a provisional basis. Iron ore from Kumba averaged a 64pc Fe content and priced 4pc above a 62pc Fe fines benchmark. Anglo American's 2024 coking coal production guidance remains 14mn-15.5m t, after July's downward adjustment . Third-quarter output was down by 6pc on the year, at 4.1mn t, after the fire at Grosvenor in June . Third-quarter production at other sites rose by 3pc on the year. January-September output was 8pc up on the year, at 11.2mn t. Coking coal sales fell by 7pc to 4mn t following the drop in production. Pricing was comparable to index levels at $253/t, the company said, an improvement from the 93pc year-to-date price realisation. Damage at Grosvenor was less severe than expected, Anglo American said, and the firm aims to sign an agreement covering the sale of its coking coal assets in the next few months. Australian coal producer New Hope , Chinese-owned Australian producer Yancoal and Australia's M Resources are among those interested in Anglo American's five Queensland coking coal mines. By Austin Barnes Anglo American Q3 2024 results Q3 2024 Q2 2024 ±% Q2 2024 Q3 2023 ±% Q3 2023 Iron ore output Total 15.7 15.6 1.0 15.4 1.0 Kumba 9.5 9.2 3.0 9.2 -2.0 Minas-Rio 6.3 6.4 -2.0 5.6 5.0 Iron ore sales Total 15.2 16.5 -8.0 14.7 -1.0 Kumba 8.8 9.7 -9.0 8.9 -2.0 Minas-Rio 6.4 6.4 -7.0 5.9 3.0 Anglo American Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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