Nickel, used by steel companies for the production of stainless steels and alloys (Nichrome, Chromel, Invar, alnico, nickel silver, and others) demonstrates on world markets mixed behavior. So during the period from mid-November to mid-December of the current year, the value of the lot on the LME (London Metal Exchange) increased by $ 4 thousand. Per ton, and before it fell by the same amount in less than a week.

However, market players, closely tracking the dynamics of quotations on the stock exchange niccolum «London Metal Exchange», such jumps is not surprising. Recall that in the period from the beginning of February of this year (when was recorded the lowest annual price of metal) and on the 20 th of April (the maximum value of a nickel), its price rose almost $ 10 thousand. / T. (From $ 17 769 to 27 075 US dollars per ton).

At present (according to analysts Bureau of Statistics metal «World Bureau of Metal Statistics»), nickel deficiency observed in the world market in I — III quarters of this year fell to 6.8 million tons. According to estimates of specialists, the extraction of nickel in January — October 2010 amounted to 1.19 million tonnes, up almost 5% more than the same period last year.

According to the forecasts of the Internet resource Emerging Markets Monitor (Monitor Emerging Markets), the average price of nickel in the coming year will remain at the level of prices mid-December 2010 and will be about $ 24 thousand. Per ton. In the longer term (in 2012 year) analysts portend a rise in prices for the metal to $ 25 thousand. / T.