Nickel prices for stainless steel are rising and reached a two-year high in early May 2014. Bruce Wheeler of Star Stainless pointed out that “since January nickel has risen 35%, making it the best performing metal of the London Metal Exchange.”
Differing analysts predict higher and lower nickel prices in the coming months, but already there is “one thing for sure, the world of stainless fasteners will begin to see higher prices and longer lead times,” Wheeler told FIN. “The recent surge of nickel prices has prompted heavy purchasing from the serious stainless buyers causing producers to become very busy and lead times to stretch out.”(…)
via Rising Nickel Cost = Higher Stainless Steel Fastener Prices – Global Fastener News – USA.