Buyers’ price resistance limits deal closures at higher levels
Sellers keep offers firm on expectations of tight oxide supply
Indian ferro molybdenum (Mo: 60%) prices fell slightly by INR 60,000/t ($627/t) w-o-w to INR 4,200,000/t ($43,897/t) exw on 29 July 2026. Bid-offer gaps pushed domestic prices down; however, the global market remained firm.
BigMint recorded trade for approximately 65 t last week within the price bracket of INR 4,180,000-4,300,000/t ($43,688-44,942/t) exw.
Market highlights (23-28 Jul’26):
Indian prices fall despite bullish sentiment: Firm global market trends supported offers from Indian ferro molybdenum sellers during the week. Imported molybdenum oxide prices also edged up to $31.91/lb CNF India, increasing production costs and pushing seller offers as high as INR 4,300,000/t ($44,942/t) exw. However, a gap between bids and seller expectations, along with buyers’ resistance to elevated prices, limited trading activity.
Despite seller offers reaching INR 4,300,000/t ($44,942/t) exw, deals were concluded as low as INR 4,180,000/t ($43,688/t) exw, reflecting buyers’ reluctance to accept higher prices.
However, overall market sentiment remained bullish amid expectations of tight raw material supply. Reflecting this outlook, a prominent Indian seller told BigMint, We expect prices to increase as we are expecting an acute shortage of molybdenum oxide in August.
Stable demand sustains elevated global prices: Ferro molybdenum (Mo:60%) prices in China edged up by RMB 1,500/t ($222/t) w-o-w to RMB 336,000/t ($49,622/t) exw-Inner Mongolia. Smelters kept their spot offers unchanged, while steel mills continued their regular bidding, providing steady demand support.
Trading activity among intermediaries remained normal, although most participants adopted a cautious approach and avoided aggressive buying at higher prices. Steel mills continued negotiating prices during tenders due to cost concerns, resulting in purchases mainly to meet immediate requirements. Large-volume buying remained absent, limiting any significant price movement. Overall, balanced market sentiment, supported by stable demand and firm producer offers, kept ferro molybdenum prices steady within a high trading range.
European demand stayed weak because of the seasonal slowdown, but rising molybdenum oxide prices and short supplies encouraged producers to increase offers.
Molybdenum futures on the London Metal Exchange were largely steady, dipping by $0.05/lb w-o-w to $32.08/lb on 28 July.
Raw material costs drive stainless prices hike: Effective 28 July, a leading Indian stainless steel producer raised domestic prices of 316-grade HR and CR stainless steel coils by INR 3,000/t ($31/t), marking its third revision this month. The latest hike was driven by rising input costs, particularly firmer molybdenum and nickel prices, as well as a stronger US dollar, which increased raw material procurement expenses.
Outlook:
India’s ferro molybdenum market is expected to remain firm in the coming week, supported by elevated global prices, higher imported molybdenum oxide costs, and expectations of tighter oxide availability in August. Rising raw material costs and recent stainless steel price hikes are likely to provide additional support to market sentiment.
However, resistance from buyers at higher price levels and the gap between bids and seller expectations may limit trading activity, keeping price gains gradual rather than sharp. Overall, the market is expected to maintain a bullish tone with firm prices.
