Silicon metal highlights

摘要

US silicon metal prices are stable as the market awaits further direction after year-end holidays. Spot market activity has thinned after the Thanksgiving holiday and traded volumes are looking low for the coming weeks. Industry sources appear to be assessing the market cautiously ahead of the next quarter, with little seen changed until January business is well underway. There has generally been more market activity in Europe and more aluminium industry purchasing of silicon metal through the current quarter and into the first quarter of 2014. Consumer confidence is increasing in line with firm demand in the prestige car industry. Secondary aluminium producers are producing and stock-building more this quarter than in the previous three months. We also note increased activity in inter-merchant business from the past quarter, which has been sustained in recent weeks.