Since the Fanya Metal Exchange entered the minor metals market, many assumed that it was mainly producers in China who benefitted from the higher prices caused by strong investor demand, while consumers suffered as they were forced to pay higher prices than fundamentals would otherwise determine.
But 5N Plus, the world’s largest bismuth consumer, benefited when bismuth prices and demand rose on the back of the Fanya exchange, with earnings
jumping in the first half of 2014.
And towards the end of the year, as Fanya faltered and bismuth stocks paused,
5N Plus likewise suffered.
It posted a $2.5 million net loss for the period, driving its shares down by 15%, which it attributed to bismuth price volatility following the latest developments on the exchange.
Part of the reason for the company’s exposure is a result of the fact that almost all the minor metals used...
