GLOBAL NICKEL WRAP: Rotterdam cut cathode premium drops, other rates unchanged worldwide

The nickel 4×4 cathode premium in the Dutch port of Rotterdam softened on Tuesday October 15, while other rates around the world were steady.

Europe takes adverse market effects in stride, leaving most nickel premiums unchanged. US premiums steady amid quiet trade due to holiday weekend. Chinese market quiet with the import window closed. Rotterdam cut cathode premium slips on weak demand The Rotterdam 4×4 cathode premium fell again this week with waning demand continuing to pressure rates for the more expensive cut material, while premiums for full-plate cathode and briquette held steady amid illiquidity. Fastmarkets assessed the nickel 4×4 cathode premium, in-whs Rotterdam at $210-250 per tonne on Tuesday, down by $10-20 per tonne from $220-270 per tonne a week earlier. Fastmarkets’ assessment of the nickel uncut cathode premium, in-whs Rotterdam was unchanged week on week at $50-80 per tonne on Tuesday, while the nickel briquette premium, in-whs Rotterdam was similarly flat at $20-50 per tonne over the same comparison. Participants were largely of the view that Rotterdam premiums have stabilized since adverse market factors…