Metals
Overview
The global metals markets are evolving rapidly, shaped by shifting supply chains, rising demand for critical minerals, geopolitical uncertainty, and increasing price volatility across ferrous, non‑ferrous and emerging technology metals. Argus provides independent metals pricing, trusted benchmarks and actionable market intelligence that give mining companies, metal producers, traders, manufacturers and recyclers the clarity and confidence they need to navigate increasing cost exposure, manage risks and make data-driven decisions.
Covering the steel supply chain, base metals, critical metals including rare earths, scrap, ferroalloys, raw materials and energy‑transition metals, Argus delivers accurate, reliable price assessments that reflect real market activity. Companies worldwide reference Argus metals benchmarks in physical and financial contracts to ensure fair, consistent and market‑aligned pricing, a crucial advantage in regions where regulatory environments, trade flows and cost structures vary dramatically.
With expert analysis, regional metals prices, market reporting, and fundamentals data, Argus helps users track market sentiment, identify key metals price drivers and stay informed on developments across ferrous, non‑ferrous and critical minerals markets, supported by localized coverage in the most active trading regions. This includes rapid shifts driven by developments in emerging supply chains, logistics constraints, shifting demand conditions, energy and input‑cost volatility, and China’s dominant role in global metals supply and demand, where changes in production, export policy, or refining capacity can quickly move global metals prices, availability and trade flows.
Argus empowers stakeholders across steel, raw materials, non‑ferrous and critical metals markets with reliable data, clear insights and a deeper understanding of global metals‑market dynamics, helping businesses remain competitive, agile and prepared for what’s next.
Market Coverage
Argus offers comprehensive coverage across all major metals markets, providing independent pricing and market intelligence for steel, steel raw materials, base metals, alloys, scrap, pipe and tube, battery materials, rare earths and specialty and minor metals. Our pricing and market intelligence provide a clear, structured view of metals markets worldwide, helping you monitor key trends and respond to shifting market dynamics with confidence.
Stay ahead of the Metals market
To be informed of new metals content, sign up to the Argus Metals Newsletter of your choice. Each issue provides key prices, selected news, downloadable insight papers, podcasts, and on-demand videos on your selected metal markets. We offer four tailored newsletters according to your area of interest, covering battery materials, ferrous, non-ferrous, and scrap markets.
Latest metals news
Browse the latest market moving news on the global metals industry.
US inflation accelerates to 3-year high in May
US inflation accelerates to 3-year high in May
Houston, 10 June (Argus) — US inflation quickened to an annual 4.2pc in May, a three-year high, led by gains in energy prompted by the Mideast Gulf war. The consumer price index (CPI) rose from 3.8pc in April, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Analysts surveyed by Trading Economics expected a median gain of 4.2pc. "May could mark the peak for headline CPI, although inflation will be slow to decline, keeping the Fed on prolonged hold for most of this year," Oxford Economics said in a note, citing recent declines in gasoline prices. So-called core inflation, which strips out volatile food and energy, rose by 2.9pc in May following a gain of 2.8pc the prior month, the BLS said. The energy index rose by 23.5pc in May from a year prior, following a gain of 17.9pc in April. Immediately after the report, Fed funds futures markets gave 98.2pc odds Fed policymakers will hold the target rate unchanged next week at its next policy meeting, and a nearly 69pc probability the Fed will hike its target rate by at least a quarter point by the end of the year. The gasoline index rose by 40.5pc in May from the year prior, compared with 28.4pc in April, the BLS said. Fuel oil rose by 58.9pc in May compared with a 54.3pc gain the prior month. Utility gas service rose by 3pc in May, unchanged from the prior month. Electricity rose by 5.9pc in May, slowing from 6.1pc in April. Food increased by 3.1pc in May, slowing from 3.2pc in April. Fruits and vegetables rose by 6.1pc and meats, poultry and fish and eggs rose by 1.8pc in May. New vehicles increased by 0.2pc in May, unchanged from the prior month. Costs of used cars and vehicles fell by 2pc in May, following a 2.7pc decline in April. Shelter rose by 3.4pc in May, slowing from a 3.3pc gain the prior month. Transportation services rose by 4.1pc compared with a 4.3pc gain the prior month. Airline fares rose by 26.7pc in May following a 20.7pc gain in April. Seasonally adjusted, CPI rose by a monthly 0.5pc in May, slowing from a 0.6pc gain in April and a 0.9pc gain in March. By Bob Willis Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
US auto sales hover near 2026 high in May
US auto sales hover near 2026 high in May
Houston, 8 June (Argus) — US automotive sales ticked higher in May, reflecting a persistent resilience in consumer spending as the US/Israel-Iran war continued to keep fuel costs elevated and foster inflationary concerns. Sales of light vehicles — pickup trucks and cars — edged higher to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 16.1mn units in May from an upwardly revised 16mn in April, the Bureau of Economic Analysis reported. Last month's total was above May 2025's annualized rate of 15.6mn, which reflected the end of pre-tariff buying after sweeping US import duties took effect and was the second-highest total for 2026 after March's 16.2mn. Automotive sales continued to recover in May from a slow start to the year following winter storms in January and February, with gains in equity markets during the month and consumers' stronger tax refunds providing further support. Still, new-vehicle affordability remains a concern, with high fuel costs and other inflationary pressures tied to the war in the Middle East weighing on consumer sentiment. Average US retail gasoline prices last were assessed at $4.305/USG for the week ended 1 June, the latest data from the US Energy Information Administration shows, which represented an increase of $1.178/USG on the year. Sales of pickup trucks rose by 0.8pc to a 13.4mn annual unit rate in May, while car sales fell by 1.4pc to a nearly 2.7mn unit rate in the same period. US vehicle production in April reached its highest level since August 2025, rising to a seasonally adjusted rate of 10.45mn units from an upwardly revised 10.04mn in March, the latest Federal Reserve data shows. Auto assemblies are reported with a one-month lag to sales. By Alex Nicoll Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Recent deep-sea and short-sea cfr Turkey scrap deals
Recent deep-sea and short-sea cfr Turkey scrap deals
London, 5 June (Argus) — A summary of the most recent deep-sea and short-sea cfr Turkey ferrous scrap deals seen by Argus. Ferrous scrap deep-sea trades (average composition price, cfr Turkey) Date Volume, t Price, $ Shipment Buyer Seller Composition Index relevant 1-Jun 30,000 406 (80:20) June Iskenderun USA HMS 1/2 80:20, shred, bonus Y 29-May 40,000 397 (80:20) June Marmara Cont.Europe HMS 1/2 80:20, shred, bonus Y 28-May 40,000 414 (90:10) June Izmir USA HMS 1/2 80:20, shred, bonus Y 28-May 40,000 409 (80:20) June Samsun Scandinavia/Baltics HMS 1/2 80:20, shred, bonus Y 18-May 37,000 406 (80:20) June Turkey Cont.Europe HMS 1/2 80:20, shred, bonus N 14-May 40,000 408.50 (80:20) June Turkey UK HMS 1/2 80:20, shred, bonus N 14-May 37,000 405 (80:20) June Marmara Baltics HMS 1/2 80:20, shred, bonus Y Ferrous scrap short-sea trades (average composition price, cif Marmara) Date Volume, t Price, $ Shipment Buyer Seller Composition Index relevant 2-Jun 3,000 378 (80:20) June Marmara Romania HMS 1/2 80:20 Y Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
US adds 172,000 jobs in May, jobless rate flat
US adds 172,000 jobs in May, jobless rate flat
Houston, 5 June (Argus) — The US added 172,000 nonfarm jobs in May, partly driven by local government and hospitality hiring, while job growth for the prior two months was revised sharply higher, suggesting surprising strength for the labor market as Gulf war impacts begin to push up inflation. Job gains in April were revised up by 64,000 to 179,000 and March employment was revised higher by 29,000 to 214,000, for combined gains of 93,000 more than previously reported, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Economists surveyed by Trading Economics had expected median gains of 85,000 in May. "Payrolls have surprised the consensus to the upside for three straight months, a relatively rare occurrence," Pantheon Macroeconomics said in a note. "That pace is unlikely to be sustained." The jobless rate held steady at 4.3pc. Following the release of the report, Fed funds futures were tracking about 66pc odds the Federal Reserve will hike its target rate by at least a quarter point by the end of the year, up from about 50pc on Thursday. The Federal Reserve said in its latest Beige Book report on economic conditions that in May most regions reported "... a low-hire, low-fire environment, with workers increasingly reluctant to change jobs because of economic uncertainty. Hiring remained selective and primarily focused on critical roles or attrition replacement." Average hourly earnings rose by an annual 3.4pc in May, down from 3.6pc in April. Employment in mining, oil and gas extraction rose by 5,000 in May and is up by 10,000 since February. Manufacturing added 7,000 jobs but is down by 46,000 from a year earlier, while construction added 17,000. The information technology sector shed 2,000 jobs. Employment in local government rose by 55,000. Federal government added 1,000 jobs. Health care added 35,000, about in line with the monthly gain over the prior 12 months. Social assistance gained 12,000, also near trend. Leisure and hospitality added 70,000 jobs, about four times the trend, with restaurants and drinking places adding 48,000. Transportation and warehousing were up by 1,000 and are off by 92,000 since reaching a peak in February 2025. Air transport lost 9,000, largely reflecting the shutdown of Spirit Airlines. Financial activities declined by 22,000 and is down by 107,000 from a recent peak of May 2025. By Bob Willis Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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