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.

Residential construction markets diverge

The single-family sector has come to terms with the current housing climate, while multi-family is still learning the hard way.

Non-residential construction sends mixed signals

Behind the diverging fortunes of office and industrial construction, key indicators reveal where future aluminum demand may be building or in teardown mode.

Crown and Ardagh ride beverage demand in Q2

Strong beverage demand carried Crown and Ardagh through Q2, but inventory buffers are shrinking and production is running near full tilt.

Deeper dive: What the American Axle & Manufacturing and Dowlais merger means for scrap

The merger could reshape aluminum demand, scrap flows, and supplier power across the entire North American auto part supply chain.

Gears in motion: American Axle & Manufacturing and Dowlais merger

A shareholder vote barely made headlines, but it could reshape aluminum demand, scrap flows, and supplier power across the entire North American auto part supply chain.

Trucks, trailers, tariffs: Updated commercial vehicle data

A short-lived trailer order surge in June belies deeper cracks in the commercial vehicle market, where rising aluminum costs, soft freight demand, and margin compression are colliding.

Ball’s western re-entry and the regional can making pressures

Ball’s decision to build a new plant in Oregon revives its Western footprint, but it also highlights strain that has made can making difficult in the region.

June PPI data reveals margin pressure mounting in aluminum's midstream market

June’s data revealed secondary aluminum logged the most significant price increases across the aluminum complex, standing out in an otherwise steady month for many mid- and downstream categories

Q2 tariff headwinds blow Alcoa inland

Alcoa's Q2 earnings reveals a company increasingly tethered to North America, just as the world looks to reduce exposure to U.S. trade risk.

U.S. opens circumvention case into Chinese foil containers after AFCMA flags rerouting

After a major industry complaint, the U.S. is investigating whether Chinese foil containers are just relabeled detours.