2020 LME BASE METALS PRICE REVIEW: Cu keeps Covid at bay, rises to 2013 levels; nickel spurred on by EV prospects

The advent of Covid-19 pushed prices to their lowest levels during the first quarter of the year, yet by the end of 2020, most underlying prices on the London Metal Exchange had bounced back to multi-year highs. Fastmarkets looks at why some metals outperformed others.

31 December 2020 Ana de Liz

LIVE FUTURES REPORT 31/12: LME base metals dip day on day but end year higher vs Jan 2020

Base metal prices on the London Metal Exchange edged lower at the close on Thursday December 31, with a number of participants still out of the market due to the holiday season.

31 December 2020 Alice Mason

Shanghai-bonded Al stocks dip 85% m-o-m; zinc inventory up 16% more

Aluminium inventories in Shanghai-bonded warehouses had the sharpest drop aside from nickel after stocks were delivered to China on a persistently open arbitrage window, while stocks for copper and zinc continued rising amid no arbitrage opportunities and little activity.

31 December 2020 Karen Ng, Hui Li, Sally Zhang

IRON ORE DAILY: Slight uptick in seaborne prices despite little trading

Seaborne iron ore prices made a slight increase on Thursday December 31 despite a quiet trading day, sources said.

31 December 2020 Alex Theo

COKING COAL DAILY: Seaborne prices flat; 2021 uncertainty remains

Seaborne coking coal prices across the board were relatively flat on Thursday December 31 due to a lack of trading during the day while market participants said that Chinese authorities’ policy on Australian coal remained a key factor influencing the 2021 spot market.

31 December 2020 Min Li

LIVE FUTURES 31/12: Base metal futures dip as US stimulus prospects fade, boost dollar

London Metal Exchange base metal price futures prices all declined in morning trading on Thursday December 31, with lawmakers in the United States still at loggerheads regarding additional stimulus for the economy there.

31 December 2020 Archie Hunter

BASE METALS WARRANT REPORT 30/12

A summary of London Metal Exchange warrant premiums from across the globe for the week to Wednesday December 30.

30 December 2020 Fastmarkets MB staff

LIVE FUTURES REPORT 30/12: LME base metals little changed; volume low, market quiet

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were little changed at the close on Wednesday December 30 amid low volumes and quiet market conditions.

30 December 2020 Alice Mason

IRON ORE DAILY: Seaborne prices dip on weak sentiment; demand buoys lump premium

Seaborne iron ore prices fell on Wednesday December 30 amid weakened market sentiment while the iron ore lump premium made more gains amid increased demand over winter, sources said.

30 December 2020 Alex Theo

COKING COAL DAILY: Market in wait-and-see mode before New Year

Seaborne premium hard coking coal prices in the fob and cfr markets diverged slightly on Wednesday December 30 while market participants were in wait-and-see mode as the New Year approaches.

30 December 2020 Min Li