US antimony metal offers dip, sales falter further
2012-08-02 11:09:28 [Print]
PITTSBURGH (Asian Metal) 2 Aug 12 – US sources continue to report a lackluster antimony metal market as business crawls due to little interest from downstream market segments. Active participants indicated to Asian Metal that current negative tendencies are expected to persist thought the third quarter as movement continues to be curtailed by the faltering global economies.
The price for 99.65%min antimony metal is currently at USD5.90-6.10/lb as values have been sliding as they keep with the negative movement experienced overseas. Additional depreciation should take place in the near-term as business is likely to slump further.
One large, US-based supplier, who indicated 99.65%min antimony metal at USD5.90-6.10/lb, stated that consumers have very little confidence as the downturn is multi-faceted. He noted that with typical lackluster summer months, cut-backs in investment, and the looming economic downturn overseas has significantly deterred movement as negative pressure a mounts. He added that very few participants are looking for material as there is no clear understanding of where the market is headed, noting that most are just keeping a wait-and-see approach.
"Regardless of how you cut it, consumers are still going to drive this market and that is the current deterrent to any movement right now," said the source. "There is no off take, nothing in the market that is telling me to go long on inventory. So the focus is to just keep supply moving and turning."
A small, US-based consumer remarked that with increased economic uncertainty, the entire supply-chain is curbing movement and trying to hold back possible downside risk. According to the source, he received an offer this week at USD5.92/lb for a 10t lot. He noted that he is in the market for material but not in urgent need, consequently, he will continue to shop around in search for better offers. The source added that his intake volume is at about half of what is was at this time last year as he has had to cut back on alloy production due to decreased interest from downstream buyers.
“Values are most likely to decrease further throughout [Q3]; demand is going to slide again because no one seems to be looking to the market beyond their immediate need,” commented the source. “With downstream consumption slowing also, intake could take a major hit in the coming weeks.”
The price for 99.65%min antimony metal is currently at USD5.90-6.10/lb as values have been sliding as they keep with the negative movement experienced overseas. Additional depreciation should take place in the near-term as business is likely to slump further.
One large, US-based supplier, who indicated 99.65%min antimony metal at USD5.90-6.10/lb, stated that consumers have very little confidence as the downturn is multi-faceted. He noted that with typical lackluster summer months, cut-backs in investment, and the looming economic downturn overseas has significantly deterred movement as negative pressure a mounts. He added that very few participants are looking for material as there is no clear understanding of where the market is headed, noting that most are just keeping a wait-and-see approach.
"Regardless of how you cut it, consumers are still going to drive this market and that is the current deterrent to any movement right now," said the source. "There is no off take, nothing in the market that is telling me to go long on inventory. So the focus is to just keep supply moving and turning."
A small, US-based consumer remarked that with increased economic uncertainty, the entire supply-chain is curbing movement and trying to hold back possible downside risk. According to the source, he received an offer this week at USD5.92/lb for a 10t lot. He noted that he is in the market for material but not in urgent need, consequently, he will continue to shop around in search for better offers. The source added that his intake volume is at about half of what is was at this time last year as he has had to cut back on alloy production due to decreased interest from downstream buyers.
“Values are most likely to decrease further throughout [Q3]; demand is going to slide again because no one seems to be looking to the market beyond their immediate need,” commented the source. “With downstream consumption slowing also, intake could take a major hit in the coming weeks.”
Antimony Ingot 99.65%min EXW China
Unit:RMB/mt
China antimony ingot producers' operating rate statistics by province by month
Unit: %
