For the Quarter Ending March 2026
Ferro-Molybdenum Prices in North America
- In United States, the Ferro-Molybdenum Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by weakened costs.
- Consumer inflation reached 3.3% and producer prices rose 4.0% in March 2026, reflecting elevated manufacturing expenses.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded while industrial production grew 0.7% in March 2026, supporting baseline alloy consumption.
- Retail sales grew 4.0% and unemployment stabilized at 4.3% in March 2026, sustaining durable goods demand.
- Consumer confidence hit 91.8 in March 2026, while fabricated structural iron and steel demand indicators fluctuated.
- The Ferro-Molybdenum Production Cost Trend declined as natural gas feedstock prices plummeted significantly during February 2026.
- The Ferro-Molybdenum Demand Outlook softened as year-to-date steel imports weakened across domestic markets through January 2026.
- The Ferro-Molybdenum Price Forecast remained flat, as natural gas storage ended March 2026 above historical averages.
Why did the price of Ferro-Molybdenum change in March 2026 in North America?
- Natural gas feedstock prices plummeted in February 2026, significantly lowering overall roasting and production costs.
- Iron and steel scrap costs weakened in March 2026, directly reducing primary alloy manufacturing expenditures.
- Year-to-date steel imports weakened through January 2026, reflecting softer domestic consumption for metallurgical alloying agents.
Ferro-Molybdenum Prices in APAC
- In China, the Ferro-Molybdenum Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by surging raw material feedstock costs.
- The Ferro-Molybdenum Production Cost Trend increased significantly during Q1 2026 as molybdenum concentrate and oxide feedstock costs surged.
- The Ferro-Molybdenum Demand Outlook stabilized in March 2026, directly supported by active steel mill tendering activities domestically.
- The Ferro-Molybdenum Price Forecast remained elevated in March 2026 due to tightened raw material spot supply availability.
- Industrial production grew 5.7% and the Manufacturing Index expanded in March 2026, boosting heavy manufacturing alloying demand.
- Consumer prices rose 1.0% and producer prices increased 0.5% in March 2026, elevating overall industrial production expenses.
- Retail sales grew sluggishly by 1.7% in March 2026, limiting downstream consumption in consumer sectors like automotive manufacturing.
- The urban unemployment rate reached 5.4% in March 2026, while consumer confidence hit 91.6 in February 2026.
Why did the price of Ferro-Molybdenum change in March 2026 in APAC?
- Molybdenum concentrate feedstock costs surged in Q1 2026, applying strong upward pressure on domestic ferro-molybdenum production expenses.
- Domestic ferro-molybdenum production expanded in March 2026 as intermediate smelting enterprises successfully maintained steady daily operational rates.
- Molybdenum concentrate spot supply tightened in March 2026, creating a persistent stalemate in regional raw material inventory availability.
Ferro-Molybdenum Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Ferro-Molybdenum Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by tightened spot supply inventories.
- The Ferro-Molybdenum Production Cost Trend increased as overall energy inflation spiked alongside a 2.7% CPI in March 2026.
- Conversely, producer prices for basic ferro-alloys weakened, aligning with a -0.2% PPI decline in March 2026.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in March 2026, supporting the Ferro-Molybdenum Demand Outlook despite weakened automotive sector consumption.
- Industrial production remained stagnant at 0.0% in February 2026, while rising steel imports intensified domestic pressure.
- Retail sales grew 0.7% and unemployment held at 4.2% in February 2026, sustaining baseline consumer durable demand.
- Consumer confidence dropped to -24.7 in March 2026, reflecting weakened mechanical engineering steel demand during Q1 2026.
- The Ferro-Molybdenum Price Forecast reflected upward pressure as domestic capacity release faced environmental inspection constraints in Q1 2026.
Why did the price of Ferro-Molybdenum change in March 2026 in Europe?
- Spot supply inventories of molybdenum concentrate tightened significantly across the regional market in March 2026.
- Short-run marginal costs for gas-fired power generation surged following Middle East conflict in March 2026.
- Regional steel producers secured long-term molybdenum supply agreements from Greenland ensuring stability in March 2026.
For the Quarter Ending December 2025
Ferro-Molybdenum Prices in North America
- In the United States, the Ferro-Molybdenum Price Index fell in Q4 2025, influenced by softened downstream demand and retreating concentrate prices.
- Ferro-Molybdenum production costs rose, influenced by a 2.7% CPI increase in December 2025 and 3.0% PPI rise in November 2025.
- Molybdenum concentrate prices retreated in Q4 2025, while natural gas prices showed mixed trends in late December.
- Ferro-Molybdenum demand outlook was mixed; US steel demand firmed in Q4 2025, supported by infrastructure investments.
- Softened downstream demand for stainless and special steel, and an automotive slowdown in Q4 2025, tempered overall demand.
- Industrial production increased 2.0% year-over-year in December 2025, indicating broader manufacturing expansion.
- US Ferro-Molybdenum exports and imports both strengthened in October 2025, reflecting dynamic trade flows.
- Domestic production saw output cuts in 2025 due to unfavorable market conditions, limiting overall supply.
- A 4.4% unemployment rate (Dec 2025), 3.3% retail sales increase (Nov 2025), and 89.1 consumer confidence (Dec 2025) indicated mixed economic signals.
Why did the price of Ferro-Molybdenum change in December 2025 in North America?
- Softened downstream demand for stainless and special steel occurred in Q4 2025.
- Molybdenum concentrate prices retreated in Q4 2025, reducing a key production cost component.
- Domestic ferromolybdenum production experienced output cuts in 2025 due to unfavorable market conditions.
Ferro-Molybdenum Prices in APAC
- In China, the Ferro-Molybdenum Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q4 2025, influenced by retreating molybdenum concentrate prices.
- Molybdenum concentrate prices retreated throughout Q4 2025, decreasing in November 2025, lowering production costs.
- Industrial Production rose 5.2% year-over-year in December 2025, indicating robust manufacturing activity.
- However, weak consumer demand, with CPI at 0.8% and retail sales up 0.9% in December 2025, persisted.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in December 2025, after contracting in October 2025, showing fluctuating industrial activity.
- Increased imports of overseas molybdenum raw materials contributed to price retreats during Q4 2025.
- Domestic ferromolybdenum production decreased in October 2025, and spot inventory growth slowed in November 2025.
- Producer prices declined by 1.9% year-over-year in December 2025, reflecting subdued industrial demand.
- Consumer confidence cooled in Q4 2025, alongside a 5.1% unemployment rate in December 2025.
Why did the price of Ferro-Molybdenum change in December 2025 in APAC?
- Molybdenum concentrate prices retreated in Q4 2025, reducing Ferro-Molybdenum production costs.
- Increased imports of overseas molybdenum raw materials contributed to price retreats during Q4 2025.
- Weak producer prices, declining 1.9% year-over-year in December 2025, indicated subdued industrial demand.
Ferro-Molybdenum Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Ferro-Molybdenum Price Index declined quarter-over-quarter in Q4 2025, reflecting weak industrial demand.
- Ferro-Molybdenum production costs eased in Q4 2025, driven by declining molybdenum concentrate feedstock costs.
- German industrial production expanded 0.8% in October 2025, despite a contracting Manufacturing Index in December.
- Automotive production in Germany sharply rebounded in November 2025, positively influencing steel demand.
- Producer Price Index (PPI) fell by 2.5% year-on-year in December 2025, indicating deflationary pressures.
- Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 1.8% in December 2025, with retail sales growing 1.1% in November 2025.
- Downstream demand from stainless steel and special steel sectors softened throughout Q4 2025.
- Overseas molybdenum raw material imports pressured Ferro-Molybdenum prices downward in Q4 2025.
- Consumer confidence remained pessimistic at -17.5 in December 2025, impacting durable goods spending.
- The unemployment rate stood at 6.2% in December 2025, suggesting less robust economic activity.
Why did the price of Ferro-Molybdenum change in December 2025 in Europe?
- Producer Price Index (PPI) declined 2.5% in December 2025, indicating weak industrial demand.
- Germany's Manufacturing Index contracted in December 2025, reducing steel demand.
- Overseas molybdenum raw material imports in Q4 2025 pressured prices downward.
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
Ferro-Molybdenum Prices in North America
- In United States, the Ferro-Molybdenum Price Index remained stable quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, influenced by mixed demand signals and rising production costs.
- Ferro-Molybdenum production costs trended upward due to a 3.0% CPI increase in September 2025 and a 2.6% PPI increase in August 2025.
- The demand outlook for Ferro-Molybdenum was mixed, with industrial production showing near stagnation at 0.1% year-over-year in September 2025.
- Ferro-Molybdenum price forecast suggests continued stability, as strong retail sales (5.42% YoY Sept 2025) counteracted declining consumer confidence in September 2025.
- Construction spending increased month-over-month in July and August 2025, supporting Ferro-Molybdenum demand in the construction sector.
- Industrial electricity prices increased in August 2025, contributing to higher production expenses for Ferro-Molybdenum.
- Raw steel output, a key demand driver, was historically strong for most of Q3 2025, though it eased in September 2025.
- U.S. natural gas prices eased in September 2025, offering some relief to energy-intensive Ferro-Molybdenum production costs.
- The unemployment rate remained stable at 4.3% in September 2025, indicating a foundational level of economic activity.
- Consumer confidence declined to 94.2 in September 2025, signaling potential weakening in demand for key end-use products.
Why did the price of Ferro-Molybdenum change in September 2025 in North America?
- Rising input costs, with CPI increasing 3.0% in September 2025 and PPI rising 2.6% in August 2025, elevated production expenses.
- Mixed industrial demand, as industrial production showed near stagnation at 0.1% year-over-year in September 2025, impacting steel consumption.
- Energy cost pressures from increased industrial electricity prices in August 2025 added to the overall cost of Ferro-Molybdenum production.
Ferro-Molybdenum Prices in APAC
- In China, Ferro-Molybdenum Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter, driven by significant production cost increases.
- Molybdenum concentrate prices rapidly increased in July 2025 due to a mining incident, raising production costs.
- Demand for Ferro-Molybdenum was supported by surging automotive shipments and record auto production in September 2025.
- China's Industrial Production grew 6.5% year-on-year in September 2025, indicating increased factory output.
- Manufacturing Index contracted in September 2025, suggesting a broader manufacturing sector slowdown.
- Molybdenum concentrate and raw material inventories remained low in July-August 2025, tightening supply.
- China's CPI decreased 0.3% and PPI fell 2.3% year-on-year in September 2025, reflecting weak demand.
- Retail sales grew 3.0% year-on-year in September 2025, offering some indirect support to economic activity.
- Ferro-Molybdenum Price Index is forecast to remain firm due to persistent cost pressures and tight raw material supply.
Why did the price of Ferro-Molybdenum change in September 2025 in APAC?
- Molybdenum concentrate prices rapidly increased in July 2025 due to a mining incident, raising production costs.
- Low inventories of molybdenum concentrate and raw materials tightened supply through July and August 2025.
- Strong automotive demand in September 2025 partially offset broader industrial slowdown.
Ferro-Molybdenum Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Ferro-Molybdenum Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, influenced by contracting manufacturing activity.
- Ferro-Molybdenum production costs faced upward pressure from tightening molybdenum concentrate supply from July 2025.
- Natural gas prices in Germany eased in Q3 2025, supported by robust LNG imports, reducing energy-related production costs.
- Ferro-Molybdenum demand outlook was bearish as Germany's industrial production declined 1.0% in September 2025.
- Global molybdenum supply remained tight in Q3 2025 due to operational challenges and a major mining incident in July 2025.
- The Manufacturing Index was contracting in Q3 2025, signaling reduced new orders for industrial inputs like Ferro-Molybdenum.
- Producer prices of industrial products were lower by 1.7% in September 2025, mainly due to decreased energy costs.
- Consumer Price Index increased 2.4% year-over-year in September 2025, suggesting higher operational costs for end-users.
Why did the price of Ferro-Molybdenum change in September 2025 in Europe?
- Germany's industrial production declined 1.0% in September 2025, reducing overall demand for Ferro-Molybdenum.
- Molybdenum concentrate supply tightened from July 2025, increasing raw material costs for Ferro-Molybdenum production.
- Natural gas prices eased in Q3 2025, lowering energy-related production expenses for European Ferro-Molybdenum manufacturers.
