

Good Morning,
I hope all is well there. February continues to show strength in current markets with supply being an lackluster in a few sectors.
Steel
For the 3rd consecutive month, steel rose across all grades with increased steel production this February. European export markets kept pricing up after seeing US domestic prices rise. The moderate increase is attributed to slow inbound scrap flow. US vehicle sales hit a 3-year low last month and Japanese automaker Toyota lowering its global sales forecast with low consumer confidence.
Non-Ferrous
The copper scrap market continues to demonstrate resilience in early February, with modest gains and overall stability across several key grades. The U.S. market remains relatively steady; however, international conditions tell a different story. China and India have seen notable declines, contributing to a softer global backdrop despite U.S. stability.
Buying activity in China has slowed significantly, and inventories on the Shanghai Futures Exchange continue to rise in a typical seasonal build ahead of the Lunar New Year. Even with this global cooling, copper prices remain nearly 29% higher than a year ago, supported by strong long-term demand from energy-transition initiatives and AI-driven infrastructure expansion.
The aluminum scrap market is showing mixed to weaker performance, with several indicators pointing toward mild downward pressure heading into February. As with copper, global industrial activity has softened—particularly in China as the country winds down operations ahead of the holiday period. Reduced mill demand has also pushed down spot pricing for primary aluminum grades.
While short‑term sentiment leans bearish, the structural, long‑term outlook remains stronger due to the continuing importance of recycled aluminum in manufacturing and ongoing supply constraints in primary production.
Stainless and Alloy
LME nickel is trading approximately $0.30 above the current spot market on a 30-day basis. While Indonesia has communicated prospective production cuts for 2026, the prevailing analyst consensus continues to call for a market surplus into next year, limiting upside momentum. 304 and 316 stainless pricing remains largely stable, with slight softness emerging as mills resist higher input costs amid relatively flat demand. Chrome-bearing stainless grades are holding for now, though modest pressure could develop as higher steel pricing provides near-term support.
High-temperature alloys are showing incremental improvement, though pricing has yet to realign with LME intrinsic values. Demand continues to exceed available supply, supported by persistent aerospace production backlogs, which remain elevated. Looking ahead, the outlook points to steady, sustained growth over the coming months, rather than an accelerated rebound.
The titanium market remains subdued, still working through lower-priced material released in 2025. Despite consistent demand across aerospace, industrial, medical, and energy sectors, many market participants believe a meaningful pricing correction may not materialize until Q1 2027.
Tool steels and high-speed steels are modestly firmer, underpinned by strength in cobalt and molybdenum pricing. Meanwhile, carbide drills and inserts continue to exhibit gradual price improvement, though increases remain measured as the market advances cautiously.























