Chinese steel production posted a rare drop in October, while domestic steel prices have been buoyed by the property sector. Paul Bartholomew and Sebastian Lewis analyze China’s key economic indicators, and what they mean for the metals sector.
Platts Insight: the essential perspective on global commodities
 
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December 5, 2019 11:11 UTC 
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Liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes have displaced pipeline natural gas volumes in the Atlantic Basin throughout 2019, due to historically low spot prices of the shipped fuel. Higher LNG spot market activity has helped unleash some of the commodity’s inherent flexibility. It is inherent because a spot cargo that can move to any importing nation is more flexible than a pipeline whose destinations are fixed. |
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December 4, 2019 10:02 UTC
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“Trade wars are good, and easy to win,” President Donald Trump tweeted in March 2018 after imposing sweeping tariffs on US imports of steel and aluminum. The application of a little-known trade remedy sent shockwaves across the metal markets and upended well-established supply chains. More than two years have passed since the Section 232 investigation was carried out by the US Department of Commerce, under provisions in a 1962 trade act, and 20 months since the tariffs were imposed on the grounds of national security. |
 
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December 3, 2019 08:33 UTC
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US utilities have stepped up their efforts to provide environmental, social and governance (ESG) reports with clear emissions reduction goals, writes Jeffrey Ryser. This is the first in a series of articles assessing key energy sector trends, ahead of the S&P Global Platts Global Energy Awards. The year 2019 may come to be seen as pivotal in the transformation of the US electricity sector. |
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December 2, 2019 12:21 UTC
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As COP25 kicks off in Madrid, S&P Global Platts editors take a look at the CO2 impact from OPEC oil production. European gas and nuclear, and IMO 2020’s impact on commodities as diverse as fuel oil and iron ore, are also on the agenda in this week’s pick of charts. |
 
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November 29, 2019 06:18 UTC
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The Russian gas industry has long been portrayed by means of predictable and dated clichés. Mention of Russian bears, gas as the new cold war, or pipelines forming the new Iron Curtain, have littered both journalistic and analytical coverage of Russia’s gas sector for decades. |
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November 28, 2019 09:43 UTC
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S&P Global Platts hosted its Ferrous & Steel Outlook event in Singapore last week. Here are five key takeaways from the event. |
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November 27, 2019 13:55 UTC
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Ending tax breaks for fossil fuels like diesel is a key policy pledge for the incoming EU commissioners, as part of the drive to make the EU carbon neutral by 2050. This is set to be a major test of national governments’ commitment to reducing fossil fuel use, as fuel tax changes are very visible to voters. › Continue Reading |
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November 26, 2019 13:27 UTC
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The razzle dazzle of US tight oil and new rules on marine fuels could have meant a chilly reception for the arrival of the North Sea’s Johan Sverdrup. The medium sour crude grade could be the region’s last big production boost at a time when, especially in Europe, there has been a shift to cleaner, less-sulfurous fuels. But China, India and the US will likely welcome it with open arms. |
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November 25, 2019 05:43 UTC
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In this week’s pick of energy and commodity charts, Asian jet fuel suppliers feel the pinch from Hong Kong’s weak demand as protests in the city persist. Plus: Fujairah stocks and IMO 2020, global gas exporters meet in Equatorial Guinea, and more. |