The December MMI Price Trends Report is out and it’s, well, just what we expected, unfortunately. Prices have plunged this year and last month was no exception with metals such as copper, 9% plummet, and raw steels, fell 4.2%, posting big losses after months of a smaller, more gradual slide.
The finished product sub-indexes are showing how much of a buyers’ market really exists right now. The Construction MMI fell 4.6% as rebar and steel scrap continued to be oversupplied, despite strong demand. For automotive products, the drop was even more precipitous with the Automotive MMI falling 7%. Santa was good to buyers this year.
Thinking 2016 will be better? No signs of that yet. Is it any wonder that a mined mineral, coal, is what everyone hopes they don’t get in their stocking this time of year? Miners and base metal producers are closing smelters, shutting mines and girding up to reduce capacity in 2016. The market, though, is still in a glut for most of the metals we track right now.
So buyers shouldn’t overspend, thinking they’re getting a great deal, this holiday season. The after the holidays sales could be even better.
by Jeff Yoders