- Prices ease across Europe, US ; China hold firm
- LME future prices fell slightly by $0.33/lb w-o-w
Indian ferro molybdenum prices fell 2.6% w-o-w to INR 2,614,000/t ($28,959/t) exw on 3 December according to BigMint’s assessment. The fall was mainly driven by soft end-user demand and a drop in LME prices, which kept overall domestic market activity muted. Trades for about 54 tonnes were concluded last week within the price range of INR 2,550,000 – 2,690,000/t ($28,250 – 29,801/t) exw.
Market updates (27 November – 2 December 2025)
End user market sentiments: Prices of 316-grade stainless steel hot-rolled coils (HRCs) inched down by 0.3% w-o-w at INR 337,000/t ($3,737/t) exw Mumbai. The stainless steel market stayed quiet, with limited trading due to subdued finished goods demand. Prices for finished flats and longs were range-bound, while major mills kept purchases on hold following the recent QCO extension to 31 March 2026.
As a result, Indian ferro molybdenum prices declined further last week amid continued softness in stainless steel demand. Buyers adopted a cautious approach, prompting some sellers to adjust prices to clear older inventories.
Chinese prices inch up w-o-w: Ferro molybdenum (Mo 60%) prices in China remained largely stable, inching up by 0.4% w-o-w to RMB 235,500/t ($33,307/t) exw-Inner Mongolia. The slight increase was supported by concentrated purchases from downstream steel mills and stable bidding demand.
Maintenance at major mines and ongoing environmental policies kept molybdenum concentrate supply tight, providing firm cost support. Market sentiment also stayed positive, with inventory holders optimistic about future prices and limiting their sales. The combination of steady demand, constrained supply, contributed to the slight rise in ferro molybdenum prices.
Additionally, European ferro molybdenum (Mo 70%) prices eased by 1.9% w-o-w to $52/kg as the market remained soft with limited trading activity. In the US as well, prices (Mo 70%) inched down by 1.9% w-o-w to $53/kg.
LME futures inch down w-o-w: On the London Metal Exchange (LME), molybdenum futures fell slightly by 1.5% w-o-w to $21.46/lb on 2 December.
Outlook
Domestic ferro molybdenum prices are expected to remain volatile in December, tracking global markets, and any shift in end-user sentiment.
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