FAQ Raw Material Prices

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FAQ Raw Material Prices

Frequently asked questions and answers on commodity price developments


FAQ Commodity Prices: Welcome to FT Mercati's FAQ page. In this section, organised by category, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about our service. If you do not find the answer to your question, please do not hesitate to contact us.

FT MERCATI

1. What is FT Mercati?

FT Mercati is the specialised platform, licensed by the LME - London Metal Exchange - that provides data, analysis, advice and training for the main industrial commodities.


2. What does FT Mercati offer?

FT Mercati offers a wide range of services to help companies optimise their commodity purchases, including:

  • Up-to-date data and information on commodity market prices and trends.
  • Advice and assistance to identify the best purchasing opportunities.
  • Training to deepen knowledge of raw materials and markets.

3. How can I access FT Mercati services?

You can try FT Mercati's services free of charge for 15 days by filling out a form on the website. For information on tariff plans and to activate a subscription, please contact us.


4. Why rely on FT Mercati?

FT Mercati helps companies make better decisions about their commodity purchases, with the following benefits:


More accurate forecasts:

  • Data analysis to identify patterns and trends in commodity prices.
  • Anticipate future market movements and optimise purchasing strategies.

Risk optimisation:

  • Constant price monitoring minimises the risks associated with commodity volatility.
  • Automatic alerting tools relieve the user of the need to continuously consult the portal.

Cost reduction:

  • Optimisation of the supply chain through data and analysis.
  • Reduction of waste and inefficiencies in procurement management.

Competitive advantage:

  • More informed and timely purchasing decisions.
  • Better adaptation to changing market conditions.
  • Increased competitiveness and corporate profitability.

THE FT MERCATI PLATFORM

5. How can I register with FT Mercati?

Registration on FT Mercati is quick and easy. Just fill in the registration form on the website


6. How can I access FT Mercati data?

Once registered, you can access all market data available on FT Mercati, including historical prices, charts and forecasts.


7. How can I use FT Mercati's analysis tools?

FT Mercati offers a range of advanced analysis tools to help you understand market trends and make informed decisions on commodity purchases.


8. How can I contact FT Mercati customer support?

If you need assistance, you can contact our customer support team by e-mail or telephone. Our operators will be happy to help you.

LONDON METAL EXCHANGE - LME

9. London Metal Exchange - LME?

The London Metal Exchange (LME) is the world's largest metals exchange, based in London, U.K. It is a regulated market where futures, forwards and options contracts on base metals, ferrous metals and precious metals are traded. The LME is the world's leading market for:

FT MERCATI: FOR WHOM?

10. FT Mercati: for Large Enterprises and SMEs

FT Mercati's price quotations are an essential service for both large companies and SMEs. Knowing the price trends of ferrous, non-ferrous, scrap and alloy metals is essential for navigating a complex market and making informed strategic decisions.


Why are metal quotations also important for small companies?


  • Production costs: fluctuations in metal prices directly influence production costs, affecting the final price of products and, consequently, the company's profitability. By monitoring quotations with the FT Mercati service, costs can be estimated more accurately and competitive pricing strategies can be defined.
  • Supply management: optimising the purchase of raw materials is crucial to avoid stock shortages or excessive stockpiling. Knowing price trends helps to plan orders efficiently, reducing storage costs and the risks of sudden fluctuations.
  • Investments: investment decisions, such as the purchase of new machinery or the opening of new factories, can be influenced by metal prices. By monitoring quotations with FT Mercati, you can assess the financial impact of such choices and make more informed decisions.
  • Contract negotiation: knowing the market prices of metals strengthens the negotiating position with suppliers and customers, allowing for more advantageous and profitable deals.

With the FT Mercati Service, even small businesses can easily access real-time metal price information. With our Events, News and Academy (webinar gallery and reports)you can stay up-to-date with ferrous, non-ferrous, scrap and alloy metal prices. Thanks to our Service, you will become familiar with these indicators, monitor them regularly and use them to inform your strategic decisions, Knowing is power, and in the world of metals, knowledge of prices is the key to success!


11. FT-Mercati: for which sectors

FT Mercati addresses all companies in the ferrous and non-ferrous metals, scrap, plastics and paper sectors.

Among the different sectors:

FT MERCATI SERVICE ADVANTAGES

12. What are the advantages of the FT Mercati service?

FT Mercati offers operators in the sector a complete and advantageous commodity quotation service, thanks to:


  • LME licence: get direct access to the official prices of the London Metal Exchange, the global benchmark for precious and industrial metals.
  • Training and after-sales support: a team of experts will support you in the start-up and use of the service, providing the necessary training for in-depth market analysis.
  • Outlook and Webinars: Stay up-to-date on the latest market trends with our regular reports and participate in exclusive webinars led by expert analysts.
  • Direct connection to the London Metal Exchange: FT Mercati is the only Italian LME data vendor directly connected to the London Metal Exchange. Through two dedicated cloud servers in LME data centres, we receive data in real time with maximum reliability and security.
  • Customisable platform with AI support: create customised dashboards, using AI to predict future price trends and make more informed decisions.

By becoming an FT Mercati partner, you can:

  • have accurate and timely market data to make informed trading decisions.
  • get professional support to help you make the most of the service.
  • have advanced analysis tools to monitor markets and identify opportunities.
  • use a multi-platform tool for timely updates both in-house and on the move

WHY BUY NOW FT MERCATI?

13. Why join FT Mercati now?

Purchasing FT Mercati's commodities listing service now is not only a smart choice, but a necessity for companies that want to remain competitive and resilient in an ever-changing market. With real-time data, in-depth analysis and personalised advice, FT Mercati offers all the tools needed to successfully navigate the challenges of the commodities sector.


Why join now:

  • Market volatility: commodity markets are notoriously volatile. Having immediate access to accurate data and analysis from FT Mercati can help your company react quickly to changes, avoiding hasty and potentially damaging decisions.
  • Competitiveness: in a competitive market, having an information advantage can make all the difference. Companies using FT Mercati can make faster and more informed decisions, maintaining a competitive advantage over competitors.
  • Strategic Planning: with immersed access to historical data and market forecasts, your company can better plan their long-term strategies, optimising procurement and inventory management.
  • Customising the Service: FT Mercati can further customise the service by including specific quotations for metals and alloys used by your company.

WHY JOIN FT MERCATI IF I BUY SEMI-FINISHED PRODUCTS?

14. Why join FT Mercati if you buy semi-finished products and not raw materials?

If your company buys semi-finished products and not raw materials, the FT Mercati service is still very useful because:


  • Visibility on component costs : the prices of semi-finished products are often directly influenced by the prices of the raw materials from which they are derived. By monitoring raw material prices with FT Mercati, it is possible to gain greater visibility into potential increases or decreases in the costs of semi-finished products, allowing purchases to be planned more strategically and profit margins to be optimised.
  • Anticipating market trends: raw material quotations offer valuable insights into market trends in general. By analysing FT Mercati's data, it is possible to identify at an early stage changes in trends that could influence the supply and demand for semi-finished products, enabling more informed purchasing decisions and reducing risks.
  • Better evaluate suppliers: by knowing the prices of raw materials, it is possible to more accurately evaluate the quotations offered by suppliers of semi-finished products. This allows potential price discrepancies to be identified and more advantageous agreements to be negotiated.
  • Optimise inventory: by monitoring fluctuations in raw material prices, inventory can be optimised more effectively. By reducing the supply of semi-finished goods when raw material prices are falling and increasing it when they are rising, storage costs and the risk of obsolescence can be minimised.
  • Integration with corporate information system: FT Mercati offers the possibility to integrate price data with its corporate systems, such as ERP or purchasing management software. This makes it possible to automate price analysis and incorporate commodity information into business decision-making.

WHY JOIN FT MERCATI IF I ONLY HAVE 2/3 SUPPLIERS?

15. Why buy FT Mercati if I have few suppliers?


To broaden perspective and optimise decisions:

  • Know the market prices: not only of your current suppliers, but also of potential new partners.
  • Identify new potential suppliers: you may find that other suppliers offer more competitive prices for certain raw materials or semi-finished products.
  • Anticipate market trends: anticipate price fluctuations and adapt your buying strategy accordingly.

For in-depth analyses:

  • Compare the prices of your suppliers: to assess how competitive your current contractual conditions really are.
  • Identify prices: to understand what factors influence the prices of the commodities you buy and make more informed decisions.
  • Anticipate market trends: anticipate price fluctuations and adapt your buying strategy accordingly.
  • Simulate scenarios: to assess the impact of possible price changes on your purchasing expenditure.

To go beyond negotiating power: having few suppliers does not make you immune to market fluctuations! FT Mercati helps you to:

  • Mitigate risks: by diversifying your sources of supply, you reduce your exposure to possible supply chain disruptions or sudden price increases by a single supplier.
  • Optimise your supply chain: by identifying the most reliable and competitive suppliers, you can improve the efficiency of your purchasing processes and reduce costs.
  • Increase your competitiveness: by managing raw materials more effectively, you can offer products or services at more competitive prices and improve your market position.

FERROLEGHE

16. What are ferroalloys?

Ferroalloys are alloys of iron with other elements such as manganese, chromium or Nickel. Ferroalloy prices are closely linked to steel production and metal price fluctuations.

ALLOYS

17. What are alloys?

Alloys are mixtures of two or more metals or of one metal with other elements. They often possess superior properties compared to individual metals. The prices of alloys vary according to their specific composition and demand in sectors such as automotive, aeronautics and construction.

FERROUS AND NON-FERROUS SCRAP

18. What is scrap?

Scrap is recycled metal material from industrial waste, demolition or the recovery of manufactured goods. Scrap prices are influenced by factors such as availability, material purity and demand from steel mills and foundries.


19. What is NON-ferrous scrap?

Non-ferrousscrap, i.e. end-of-life scrap or manufactured products of metals such as Copper, Brass, Nickel, Tin, Lead, Zinc, represents a veritable mine of valuable resources for the economy and the environment. Unlike ferrous metals, non-ferrous scrap does not contain iron, which gives it unique properties and makes it valuable for a variety of applications. Their malleability and ductility make them easy to process and transform into new products, while their resistance to corrosion makes them suitable for use in outdoor or aggressive environments. Furthermore, non-ferrous scrap can be recycled indefinitely without losing its properties, contributing to a more efficient use of resources.


20. What is ferrous scrap?

Ferrousscrap, processing waste or end-of-life artefacts of metals such as mild steel, carbon steel, stainless steel, cast iron and wrought iron, is a valuable and inexhaustible resource for the economy and the environment. Unlike other materials, ferrous scrap is characterised by its abundance and availability. This characteristic makes them ideal for supplying the furnaces of steel mills in a systematic and stable manner over time. Moreover, their ductility allows them to be transformed into various shapes and components, adapting to the most diverse requirements.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN IRON AND STEEL

21. What is iron?

  • Chemical element with symbol Fe.
  • In nature it is rarely found in its pure state, but mainly combined with other elements.
  • It is malleable and ductile, but tends to rust easily.
  • Used mainly for the production of cast iron and steel.

22. What is steel

  • An alloy of iron and carbon, containing on average between 0.05% and 2% carbon.
  • The presence of carbon gives steel greater strength, hardness and toughness than pure iron.
  • It does not rust easily thanks to the formation of a protective oxide layer.
  • Used in a very wide range of applications, from construction to the automotive industry, from machinery to tools.