NC Scrap Metal Prices
Goldsboro Scrap Metal Recycling
2/26/15
There is not a lot of
good news. Copper has stabilized, but is really down a bit in the past few
days. Steel hit a new multi-year low in the past two weeks and next
month, it could be down or sideways/flat in price. See the below, written
by one of our suppliers.
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| Goldsboro Metal Recycling - NC Scrap Metal Prices per Pound |
Greg Brown
919-731-5600
The Fed, Greece and Ports: The Fed minutes were released,
suggesting they are inclined to wait on raising interest rates, being unclear
in terms of when they will make a move since they themselves are uncertain.
While the jobs market strengthens, inflation remains below the 2% target
and the global economic landscape is confounding. The next fed meeting is
Mar h 17-18 where “be patient” may be dropped from their vocabulary.
Greece has agreed in principal to EU demands and needs to bring it
before a formal vote, giving that country a 4 month extension on aid. Greece
needs to present today a list of budget cuts and economic overhauls.
While the Greek government argues its debt-servicing schedule will force it to
run a surplus that is not economically sustainable, the fact remains countries
looking to enter the EU did exactly that to gain entrance. Based on the
current governments promises made to its people to get elected, it’s not the
price to be paid to service its debt, its more the government’s willingness to
pay the political price.
Commodity prices in general will remain under pressure as the
stronger dollar is pushing mining companies to maintain production despite
falling prices. Miners such as BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto benefit from a
stronger dollar by being paid in dollars for mined product while paying local
mining costs in local currency. The result is increased supply and while demand
remains lackluster, putting downward pressure on prices. Some claim “a stronger
dollar will only postpone an inevitable reckoning for the mining industry. By
keeping mines open, they are feeding a global glut of metals, coal and iron
ore”.
A tentative agreement has been reached at the West Coast ports, so
operations will be back to normal and workers will try to reduce the backlog of
ships off the coast, tentatively expected to take several months. Union
workers still need to vote on the new agreement in coming weeks.
Aluminum premiums in Europe have fallen $30 a ton last week and
Asian premiums are under pressure this week as well as discussions around Q2
premiums begin to get heated. US premiums fell $.01 late last week and
are expected to continue to drop as prime and prime substitutes (surplus semi
manufactured products coming from China) hit US shores looking for a home to
take advantage of our domestic high premium. Look for downward pressure
on the US premium in coming weeks/months and resulting spreads tied to cash LME
to widen accordingly (what goes up with the premium must come down with the
premium).
