North American bismuth market firming on news of potential consolidation
2014-04-08 14:12:34 [Print]
NEW YORK (Asian Metal) 8 Apr 14 - Prices for bismuth 99.99%min are firm between USD10.35-10.60/lb d.d.p. Sources maintained stable sales of the material over the past 2 weeks; however, most are primarily focused on the rumors of additional stockpiling of the material. Downstream demand remains flat at the moment, but distributors and traders of the material have been keen to hold prices on the expectation of potential increases in the near future. Prices are expected to continue firming over the coming days.
A North American distributor of bismuth 99.99%min is offering between USD10.35-10.60/lb d.d.p. The source revealed that he sold 5t last week at USD10.45/lb d.d.p. and refused to go below USD10.30/lb d.d.p. for this week. He admitted selling just below his average 15-20tpm volumes through the first week of April.
The source said, “We saw activity earlier in the year and the tightness in China bring the market price up quite substantially. However, we may be close to another period of tightening markets particularly in China. The exchanges there and the overall demand are hinting at a consolidation in the market that is contributing to the firm prices at the moment. I think prices bottomed out last week, and may start reversing and climbing again.”
A North American trader of bismuth 99.99%min is offering at around USD10.40-10.60/lb d.d.p. The source revealed that he last sold 5t at USD11.10/kg d.d.p. almost 1 month ago, but has since seen prices come down. He admitted still holding roughly 5t in stock, and conveyed a flat market also with rumors of tightness in China.
The source explained, “The demand for bismuth 99.99%min in the spot market has not been great, but it’s been enough to keep prices elevated, and to halt the price collapse from mid-March till the end of the month. Since then, we’ve see a return to flat prices, but recently the word is tightening from the Chinese exchanges which could result in rising prices.”
A North American distributor of bismuth 99.99%min is offering between USD10.35-10.60/lb d.d.p. The source revealed that he sold 5t last week at USD10.45/lb d.d.p. and refused to go below USD10.30/lb d.d.p. for this week. He admitted selling just below his average 15-20tpm volumes through the first week of April.
The source said, “We saw activity earlier in the year and the tightness in China bring the market price up quite substantially. However, we may be close to another period of tightening markets particularly in China. The exchanges there and the overall demand are hinting at a consolidation in the market that is contributing to the firm prices at the moment. I think prices bottomed out last week, and may start reversing and climbing again.”
A North American trader of bismuth 99.99%min is offering at around USD10.40-10.60/lb d.d.p. The source revealed that he last sold 5t at USD11.10/kg d.d.p. almost 1 month ago, but has since seen prices come down. He admitted still holding roughly 5t in stock, and conveyed a flat market also with rumors of tightness in China.
The source explained, “The demand for bismuth 99.99%min in the spot market has not been great, but it’s been enough to keep prices elevated, and to halt the price collapse from mid-March till the end of the month. Since then, we’ve see a return to flat prices, but recently the word is tightening from the Chinese exchanges which could result in rising prices.”
Bismuth Ingot 99.99%min EXW China
Unit:RMB/mt
China bismuth ingot producers' inventory statistics by province by month
Unit: mt
