Contributor: Nicholas Bell

Nicholas Bell

Nicholas brings over half a decade of experience covering metals markets, pricing trends, and supply chain dynamics. Prior to joining AMU, he reported on aluminum, high-temperature scrap, and ferro-alloy markets at Argus Media, with additional coverage of minor metals and rare earths. His work has built deep expertise in North American metals pricing and trade flows. A native of Houston, Nicholas holds a bachelor’s degree in Media Production and an MBA with a concentration in Finance, both from the University of Houston.

Q1 Construction Part Two: Large contractors, megaprojects show stronger activity

Construction indicators strengthened entering Q2, though most momentum was concentrated in data centers and infrastructure projects.

Q1 Construction Part One: Indicators point to concentrated Q2 strength

Construction indicators strengthened entering Q2, though most momentum was concentrated in data centers and infrastructure projects.

Class 8 surge, trailer slump complicates trucking recovery narrative

ACT Research and FTR Intelligence data showed Class 8 truck orders increased sharply in early 2026 even as trailer demand, OEM deliveries and manufacturer shipments remained weaker.

Ball faces North American capacity constraints

Ball reported modest shipment growth and higher earnings, with North American volumes constrained by limited capacity and strong contract coverage.

Nexans to acquire Republic Wire

Nexans plans to acquire Republic Wire to expand its US low-voltage wire and cable business.

Hydro Q1: Upstream production rises as North American extrusion demand declines

Hydro's Q1 results show higher prices supporting margins despite weaker North American demand and ongoing Middle East curtailments.

Weak automotive demand limits strain as Ford, GM earnings hold

Ford and GM's results show earnings supported by tariff timing and mix, while volumes, inventory, and cash flow point to a constrained supply and uneven demand.

Constellium Q1 shipments steady as automotive sheet tightness shifts mix

Constellium held shipments flat in Q1 as automotive sheet constraints reshaped mix, while higher metal prices and scrap spreads supported earnings.

Century restarts Iceland potline

Century Aluminum restarted a potline at its Iceland smelter after an outage, though the move is unlikely to directly affect North American supply.

Gränges Q1 volumes rise on share gains as pricing drives Americas profitability

Gränges posted higher first-quarter volumes on market share gains, while pricing and mix in the Americas drove most of the profit growth despite weak end markets.