US Ni briquette premium surpasses 4x4s on 41% weekly gain

The nickel briquette premium in the United States gained 40.9% during the week to Tuesday November 9 on some forced spot buying, surpassing the cut cathode premium for the first time ever.

Fastmarkets introduced assessments based on the shape of the nickel in March 2018. Square cut cathode commanded three times the premium for curved briquette at the start of this year.
But throughout this year, supply of briquettes and other curved nickel shapes that flow easily in steel mills - 'flowable' forms - became ever shorter.
The lack of briquettes became acute this week, Fastmarkets understands. Major buyers did not receive their 'flowable' nickel orders, which triggered last-minute briquette purchases at far higher levels, several sources said.

A delayed vessel was the cause, two sources told Fastmarkets. Others disputed that and pointed to another producer being unable to supply a regular customer...

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