Service centers are reporting extending lead times for all copper and brass products on the back of strong demand from the automotive and housing sectors, which could encourage some buyers to turn to imports Lead time for certain light-gauge material are out as long as 18 weeks from 12 weeks previously. The long lead times.. read more →

Stainless steel prices rose slightly alongside March surcharges, although many buyers are holding off in anticipation of lower tags in April, market participants said. The price increases were largely in line with higher March surcharges from the major products, market participants said. Business has improved slightly since the start of the year, but still hasn’t.. read more →

Lead times for light gauge copper products remain at three months. For light gauge flat rolled, orders are placed for June. That’s way out, the first service center source said. A fourth service center source confirmed this trend, adding that he expects lead times for light gauge material to stay out on the back of.. read more →

Spot P1020 business has given way to discussions between producers, traders and aluminum consumers focusing on next year’s aluminum supply contracts. Few deals were closed as a result, which kept Midwest aluminum sport premiums firmly between 11 and 11.50 cents per pounds. I expected more spot activity because the aluminum price came back down, but.. read more →

Stainless consumption and imports both rose sharply in April compared with the same period a year ago, according to figures from the Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA). Stainless consumption was up 12.3% from April of last year. While stainless imports grew 22.5% in the same time frame. Stainless plate posted the most notable.. read more →

June 8, 2012 / Nickel Foil Nickel premiums continue to decline, with melting grade numbers hitting a nine year low as spot activity weakened. Melting grade premiums fell to between 20 and 23 cents per pound, the lowest level seen since mid 2003. Premiums have been under pressure this year as suppliers are said to.. read more →

Demand for aluminum in the United States and Canada rose by 7.5% in the first quarter compared with the same period last year, according to preliminary data from the Aluminum Association. Shipments of aluminum by domestic aluminum producers and aluminum imports were estimated at 5.8 million pounds. Demand for semi-fabricated aluminum (mill) products increased 7.9%.. read more →

Aluminum orders in North America fell 2.7% in November from the previous month due to continued de-stocking ahead of the year’s end as well as uncertainty about aluminum prices. Orders remain in a choppy, sub-par uptrend. This marks the second month of declining orders; however they remain up strongly from 2010. The overall monthly decline.. read more →