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Quarterly Markets & Metals July 2022

Second Quarter 2022: Out-of-market pressures deflate values

Global economic conditions rough up metals markets. U.S. Inflationary pressures are causing uncertainty. Negative outlook for sustained economic growth are slowing, impacting pricing across the board.

Crushed Auto Bodies

Inflationary pressures have been driving values down but overall demand remains high. Auto recyclers continue to struggle with product availability, keeping prices relatively stable. Steep rise in fuel costs is pushing vehicle ownership. Expense is expected to move fuel inefficient units to recycling stream.

Crushed Autobodies June 22

 

Platinum

The price for platinum softened significantly in Q2 down 8.8% from February ’22 high value and 15% from last June.

Source: Matthey

Copper

Similarly, copper prices have noticibly slipped, moving down roughly 12% from March 22 highs.

Source: Westmetall

Rhodium

Rhodium continued it’s downward slide in 2022, as prices slipped 35% from the same time last year. Much of this may be attributable to the reduction in use by manufacturing sector. We anticipated this softening in earlier posts:

“Historically, rhodium price increases are related to automotive emissions legislation, but the most extreme peaks in Rhodium prices are the result of supply chain disruptions, of which the pandemic is certainly a most recent example. They’re typically followed by decreases as industry responds to these prices by implementing means of reducing rhodium use.”  Wreckonomics June 21. 

However, to put this in context, these recent decreases still leave Rhodium at over three and a half times the value in June of 2019 prior to the pandemic.

Source: Matthey

Fuel Prices

Though technically not a metals value, fuel prices and transportation costs are impacting global demand and use of the still in demand commodities. The rise in fuel prices is responsible for some of the impacts we see in our tracked values by quarter.

Wait & See (continued)

The world economy continues to struggle with inflationary pressures. June’s stock tumble caused a high level of concern among American consumers. Global economic outlooks remain mixed to pessimistic. Commodity forecasts have been similarly affected. Metals markets remain in a wait and see mode for the foreseeable future.  

NOTE: All figures are believed to be reliable and represent approximate pricing based on information obtained prior to publication. Data is sourced from American Recycler, London Metal Exchange, iScrap App, and Scrap Monster.  Advanced Remarketing Services is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, or for the use or application of information herein.

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