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.
Japan to invest $21bn in GF for 2 new US facilities
Japan to invest $21bn in GF for 2 new US facilities
Houston, 14 October (Argus) — Japan plans to invest up to a total of $21bn toward US-based GlobalFoundries (GF) to build and operate two new semiconductor manufacturing facilities (fabs) in Malta, New York, the company said today. GF expects the two fabs to each have a production capacity of 900,000 300mm wafers/yr. The first fab is expected to come on line in 2029, the company said. In addition to the new fabs, the US Department of Commerce will also reallocate $955mn of GF's current CHIPS and Science Act award towards its existing facilities in Malta, New York, and Burlington, Vermont, for advancing its silicon photonics, silicon germanium (SiGe) and advanced packaging capabilities. GF said in May it would expand its SiGe capacity to meet accelerating demand for optical networking in data centers, as capacity at its Vermont fabrication plant was oversubscribed. In an additional agreement, Commerce will receive a 4pc equity stake in GF, worth over $2bn, US president Donald Trump said in a social media post on Wednesday. By Reagan Patrowicz Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Solar, Bess tax breaks clear Mexico's lower house
Solar, Bess tax breaks clear Mexico's lower house
Mexico City, 14 October (Argus) — Legislation to accelerate recovery of start-up capital for solar power and battery energy storage passed Mexico's lower house on Wednesday, clearing a final article-by-article review in a 322-115 floor vote. The clean energy incentives — structured as accelerated depreciation rules under the federal income tax law (Lisr) — advance as a core element of the 2027 revenue package. The initiative now heads to the senate for ratification, which is expected to conclude well before the chamber's 31 October legal deadline to pass the revenue side of next year's budget. If approved, the new rules will take effect on 1 January 2027. The tax reform proposal specifically aims to modify the federal income tax law, as part of an overhaul to Mexico's simplified tax framework (Resico). It establishes that eligible companies may double their annual tax depreciation rate on physical equipment and infrastructure to 40pc from 20pc. The provision could cut capex recovery times in half, typically to 2.5 years from 5 years, for small- and mid-sized solar and backup energy developers. However, industry analysts point out a significant trade-off that limits the reform's broader impact. As the incentive is strictly tethered to the Resico framework, it is bound by the regime's updated annual gross revenue cap of Ps50mn ($2.6mn). Renewable energy advocates argue the cap is too low and sets up a mixed outcome for the industry . While it stimulates small-scale distributed generation and commercial rooftop installations, utility-scale developers are largely excluded from the tax break. Under the new Lisr, amortization is now limited to 50pc of taxable profit for these companies, a limit analysts argue creates a baseline annual tax cash drain regardless of cumulative development capex. Furthermore, companies exceeding the revenue cap will now be restricted from fully utilizing the standalone 100pc immediate renewable asset deduction established under article 34 of the income tax statute. Financing costs for capital-intensive generation networks also face adjustment, as the legislation lowers the threshold for net-interest deductions on corporate project debt to 20pc from 30pc of adjusted taxable income. By James Young Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Chile's lithium exports inch up in September
Chile's lithium exports inch up in September
Sao Paulo, 14 October (Argus) — Chilean lithium exports increased in September from the same period last year, as global feedstock availability concerns eased. Chilean producers SQM and Albemarle exported a combined 19,840 metric tonnes (t) of lithium salts in September, including carbonate, hydroxide and chloride. That is an 8.1pc increase from around 18,340t a year earlier, highlighting Chile's contract-based and stable lithium industry. China remained the main destination for Chilean lithium, importing 67.5pc, or 13,460t, of total volumes. South Korea was second with 17pc, while Japan and the US were tied for third place at 3.5pc and 3.4pc, respectively. September was a largely standard month for Chile's lithium industry. As supply tightness faded worldwide with Zimbabwe returning to the market and Chinese imports normalizing, the country's monthly exports also returned to normal after reaching record-highs in the first half of the year. By Pedro Consoli Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Brazil's September lithium exports up on Sigma, CBL
Brazil's September lithium exports up on Sigma, CBL
Sao Paulo, 14 October (Argus) — Brazilian lithium exports increased in September from the previous month, as Sigma Lithium exported high-grade spodumene for the second month in a row. Brazilian producers shipped 34,130 metric tonnes (t) of 5.5pc spodumene in September, up by 64pc from August. Exports fell by 48.8pc compared with the same period last year, but September 2025 exports were not representative of typical Brazilian volumes, as Sigma alone shipped almost 60,000t of lithium concentrate that had been stockpiled after it refrained from exporting in previous months because of low prices. Sigma exported 11,000t of 5.5pc-grade lithium concentrate in September 2026, accounting for about a third of total exports. AMG contributed 12,960t, while CBL shipped its fourth batch of the year at 9,900t. All volumes were sent to China. A smaller batch of 270t was also shipped to the US, likely by AMG. Brazilian lithium exports typically fluctuate depending on which producer manages to export, rather than supply and demand dynamics. CBL exports only a few times each year, while Sigma — Brazil's largest lithium producer by installed capacity — has faced legal issues and mine closures in the past 12 months that curtailed its capacity to produce and export. By Pedro Consoli Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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