Nonferrous products look tight and costly in 2004

摘要

After seven years of decline,Purchasingdata.com's Non-ferrous Price Index rebounded 22%in 2003.The index closed 2003 at 109 (I/'94=100),the highest level since 110.9 in December 1997.Base metals showed quite a bit of price action in 2003:U.S.spot copper rose from an average 79c/lb in January to US1.03 in December,the highest level since 1997.Zinc,used to coat steel sheet,increased from 39c/lb to 48c.Nickel,the primary ingredient in stainless steel,had the wildest ride of them all,trading at US3.58/lb at the start of the year and at a 14-year high of US7.70 by the end.