Nickel is waking up – and Jakarta just hit the alarm. Indonesia’s dominance rests on supply chains it doesn’t control, now squeezed by geopolitics and taxes. A looming surplus could vanish fast, with global nickel prices caught in the middle.
Tungsten prices are surging as war, stockpiling and China’s export squeeze drain the system. Inventories are vanishing, supply can’t keep up, and every missile fired deepens the deficit. This isn’t a cycle – it’s the market tightening fast.
Lithium is shifting from boom‑and‑bust volatility to a tighter, more complex market, as project delays, policy friction and refining bottlenecks slow the flow of deliverable supply.
Nickel is waking up – and Jakarta just hit the alarm. Indonesia’s dominance rests on supply chains it doesn’t control, now squeezed by geopolitics and taxes. A looming surplus could vanish fast, with global nickel prices caught in the middle.
Stay connected with our latest developments. Share your details to receive updates and analyses from LME Insight.
Tungsten prices are surging as war, stockpiling and China’s export squeeze drain the system. Inventories are vanishing, supply can’t keep up, and every missile fired deepens the deficit. This isn’t a cycle – it’s the market tightening fast.
Lithium is shifting from boom‑and‑bust volatility to a tighter, more complex market, as project delays, policy friction and refining bottlenecks slow the flow of deliverable supply.
Aluminium’s recent surge isn’t just a war premium – it’s an energy premium. Gulf supply risks, higher power costs and thin inventories are reshaping the market’s cost floor.
In critical minerals, the real question isn’t how much you hold but how quickly materials can be used. We explore global stockpiling strategies and ask whether, without processing capacity, governance and strong alliances, stockpiles risk symbolism over security.
Understanding premiums, discounts and the associated "basis risk" in metals markets.
A high-level overview of the importance of LME brands and the listing process.
Why pricing material based on a reputable reference price offers increased transparency, efficiency and optionality.
A detailed overview of price formation via bilateral negotiations, price reporting agencies, physical trading platforms and futures exchanges.
Stay connected with our latest developments. Share your details to receive updates and analyses from LME Insight.