Fastmarkets' European nickel premium fell, while that for briquette in the United States stabilized in an unusually active week ended Tuesday December 11 with sellers trying to command higher premiums on falling metal prices.
Nickel briquette premiums fell in Rotterdam Discounting of US briquette premium stalls; spot activity picks up No change in China during year-end slowdown The premium for uncut nickel cathodes in-warehouse Rotterdam edged lower on Tuesday in an otherwise quiet week. Fastmarkets assessed the premium for uncut nickel cathodes at $190-250 per tonne, down from $200-260 per tonne the week before. Participants reported hearing offers at $180 per tonne, but a lack of liquidity in the market due to the coming winter holidays capped the decline. Participants expect further price falls into January, but other market players say they expect a rebound for premiums. "We'll see more downward pressure coming up to Christmas, but there will be some pent-up demand [in January]," a producer in Europe said. Demand is also weak, with some hesitant to carry too much material into next year. "No one wants to have too much...