As we enter July, we would like to wish all of our customers, suppliers, and industry partners a safe and Happy Independence Day. Please note that Continental Steel & Tube will be closed on Friday, July 3rd, in observance of the holiday, and will resume normal business hours on Monday, July 6th.
From a market perspective, one of the most closely watched developments continues to be the supply outlook for strategic materials such as cobalt and nickel. While concerns surrounding cobalt availability have not resulted in widespread disruptions, manufacturers across aerospace, defense, energy, and specialty alloy sectors continue to monitor supply chains closely. The good news is that most standard industrial metal products remain readily available, and overall market conditions have become more stable compared to the volatility experienced earlier in 2026.
For buyers, the second half of the year presents an opportunity to focus on planning, forecasting, and securing material for upcoming projects while pricing remains relatively predictable.
Market Headlines At-a-Glance
- Cobalt supply concerns remain a key industry discussion but have not significantly impacted standard product availability.
- Nickel markets continue to stabilize compared to Q1.
- U.S. mill pricing remains firm but largely predictable.
- Buyers continue to benefit from proactive forecasting and blanket order strategies.
Nickel
Nickel pricing has remained within a relatively narrow 3–5% range over the past month.
Demand from aerospace, battery, and specialty alloy markets remains healthy, while supply conditions have improved compared to earlier this year.
Aluminium
Aluminium pricing remains steady, supported by infrastructure, transportation, and energy-sector demand.
Recent market movement has remained within the 2–3% range.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel markets remain firm as mills maintain pricing discipline and alloy surcharges remain elevated.
Nickel stability has helped reduce some of the pricing uncertainty seen earlier in the year.
Titanium
Titanium demand remains strong across aerospace and defense applications.
Lead times for certain grades continue to range between 20–30+ weeks, depending on product form and mill source.
Copper, Brass & Bronze
Copper continues to benefit from long-term electrification and infrastructure investment.
Pricing has remained relatively stable, fluctuating within a 3–5% range.
Brass and bronze continue to track copper market activity.
Carbon Steel & Alloys
Carbon and alloy steel markets remain balanced entering the third quarter.
Most domestic pricing has held steady, with movement generally limited to ±2% during recent weeks.
Industry Spotlight: Strategic Metals Continue to Shape the Future
The global focus on critical minerals remains one of the most important long-term trends in the metals industry. Governments and manufacturers continue investing heavily in securing reliable supplies of cobalt, nickel, lithium, and rare earth materials used in advanced manufacturing, aerospace systems, energy storage, and defense technologies.
While much of the media attention has focused on potential shortages, the industry has responded with increased investment in mining, recycling, and supply diversification. As a result, many analysts expect supply chains to become more resilient over time.
Blanket Orders: Creating Stability in an Evolving Market
As the industry continues to navigate changing supply-chain dynamics, blanket orders remain one of the most effective ways to secure both pricing and material availability.
By establishing forecasted volume and scheduled releases, customers can improve purchasing visibility and reduce exposure to future market fluctuations.
Continental Steel & Tube continues to offer flexible blanket order programs designed around your production schedules and operational requirements.
Looking Ahead
July market conditions continue to reflect a healthier balance between supply, demand, and pricing stability than we experienced at the beginning of the year. While strategic materials such as cobalt and nickel remain important topics to watch, most metal markets are entering the second half of 2026 with improved predictability and dependable availability.
For questions, forecasts, or to discuss blanket order opportunities, please contact us:
Your Continental Steel & Tube team is here to help you plan with confidence.