Metals &Mining Alert:Daily prices and news,China's winter capacity cuts to surpass 34mt
Industrials (/lb): aluminum $0.95 (-0.8%), copper $3.09 (-0.7%), lead $1.14(+0.3%), molybdenum $7.14 (+0.0%); nickel $5.58 (-3.1%); zinc $1.44 (-0.5%);Precious (/oz): gold $1,285 (+0.3%), silver $17.00 (-0.3%); Steel (/mt): ChinaHRC $618 (-0.2%), SHFE Rebar $570 (+1.2%), MB Scrap Index $296 (-2.0%);Bulks: iron ore (/dmt) $62 (+0.1%), coking coal (/mt) $181 (+0.0%), freight (BCI)3,349 (+2.8%); Energy: Brent (/bbl) $63.93 (+0.7%), WTI (/bbl) $57.17 (+0.6%),natural gas (/mmBtu) $3.20 (+0.8%), thermal coal (/t) $98 (-0.3%).
China’s Tianjin city requests steelmakers to curtail production over the comingwinter. So far, 7 cities in Northern China have revealed output cut details asper the Federal government’s directive. Platts estimates total pig iron capacitycurtailed from these 7 cities and Shaanxi province to be 33.5mt from Nov 15-Mar 15. However, these announcements refer to capacity and productionvolume could be lower. With a few more cities yet to publish details, totalcapacity cut is expected to surpass 33.5mt. (SBB)Index of net new NA orders of aluminum mill products for October up 5% YoYto 104 (+1% MoM). Aluminum plate products saw the largest increase at+41% MoM and YoY while foil decreased 4% YoY and 11% MoM. Increasingplate orders could indicate aerospace destocking is ending and likely benefitproducers such as Arconic, Constellium and Kaiser. (Aluminum Association, DB)European Commission (EC) opens formal investigation into ArcelorMittal’sproposed takeover of Ilva. EC has decided to not grant Phase 1 approval to thedeal and has said the Phase 2 investigation could run until March 23, 2018. ECnoted that the merger could increase prices for customers in Southern Europeand concessions offered by ArcelorMittal failed to address its concerns. (SBB)Freeport-McMoRan announces plans to redeem $617m 6.5% Senior Notes due2020. Aggregate interest cost savings expected to be $40m/yr and FCXexpects to record a gain to net income of $15m in 4Q17. Following theseredemptions and repayment of 2.3% Senior Notes, FCX’s total debt is at$13.4bn (vs. $14.8bn at end of 3Q17). Separately, armed separatists haveoccupied five villages in Indonesia’s Papua region, threatening to disruptoperations at FCX’s Grasberg mine. Company is “deeply concerned” aboutsecurity and has been using armored cars and helicopters to ferry workers. Sofar, there has been no impact to production and shipments. (Company)Newmont acquired 2.2m common shares of TMAC Resources at a price ofC$7/sh, implying a total investment of C$15.3m. Newmont now holds 26.4mshares of TMAC (~28.8% of the total outstanding shares). Purchase of sharesis for investment purposes. (Company)Constellium announces settlement of Cash Tender Offers. Out of the total$825m and EUR240m Senior Secured/Senior Notes offered for purchase,$474m and EUR128m was validly tendered and accepted by the company priorto expiration. (Company)