Cup o Joe - A Metals Podcast

Copper, nickel, stainless steel, and audience questions wrap up this month's Cup O' Joe . Nick and Mike discuss what's happening across several key commodity markets, answer viewer questions, and share what they're watching as the metals market heads into the second half of 2026. From copper demand and nickel pricing to stainless trends and the broader manufacturing outlook, this episode covers th...

Tariffs are back in the spotlight—and they're once again reshaping the metals market. In this episode, Nick and Mike discuss the latest tariff announcements, how they could impact steel and aluminum pricing, and what manufacturers should be watching as trade policy continues to evolve. Whether you source domestically or internationally, this conversation provides valuable context for navigating to...

Manufacturing activity continues to expand, yet several metal prices have started moving lower. So what's really happening? Nick and Mike explore the latest PMI data, freight trends, inflation, global supply chains, and why today's metals market isn't following the traditional playbook. If you've been wondering whether manufacturing is slowing—or simply becoming more balanced—this conversation bre...

After months of record-breaking prices, aluminum has suddenly reversed course. In this episode of Cup O' Joe , Nick explains what's driving the largest monthly decline in aluminum prices since the 2008 financial crisis—and whether buyers should expect the trend to continue. Nick and Mike discuss the factors behind the correction, how tariffs and imports are influencing the market, and what manufac...

In celebration of America's 250th birthday, Mike and Nick put a fun twist on one of the country's most iconic traditions: creating their own Mount Rushmores of American metal landmarks. From engineering marvels like the Gateway Arch, Golden Gate Bridge, and Empire State Building to unexpected choices such as Cloud Gate ("The Bean"), the Brooklyn Bridge, the original Chicago Ferris Wheel, the Space...

Nick fields listener questions on the state of the market, employment data, lead times, and more. 

Aluminum prices remain elevated, copper demand continues to grow, and commodity markets are sending important signals about the future of manufacturing. Mike and Nick discuss key takeaways from the Harbor Aluminum Conference and what why current mill utilization rates feel different lately.

What could derail an otherwise resilient economy? In this episode, Mike and Nick shift from optimism to risk assessment, examining geopolitical tensions, energy markets, inflation concerns, and the potential supply shocks that could impact global growth in the months ahead.

Manufacturing continues to outperform expectations despite ongoing concerns about inflation, interest rates, and economic uncertainty. Mike and Nick break down the latest PMI data, discuss what's driving demand, and explore why many forecasts continue to underestimate the resilience of the industrial economy.

The Cup o Joe crew tells us why sulfur has suddently catapaulted to the top of the commodities discussion these days, and why copper and nickel prices remain elevated. 

Hot rolled coil is back above $1,000 per ton, and the steel market is heating up fast. Mike and Nick are joined by Mark Gross for a deep dive into mill pricing, inventories, imports, lead times, and the demand sectors pushing steel higher in 2026.

The AI boom isn’t just a tech story anymore — it’s becoming a metals story. In this episode, the team explores how data center expansion is driving demand for steel, copper, aluminum, and electrical infrastructure, and why industrial supply chains are paying close attention.

Global manufacturing activity is showing signs of life again — and the metals market is responding. Mike and Nick break down the latest PMI data, improving industrial sentiment, and why demand across key sectors may be stronger than many expected heading into the second half of the year.

Steel prices are climbing, freight is tightening, and tariffs remain a wildcard. We cover the latest across steel, stainless, logistics, and policy—plus practical insights for navigating today’s market.

Aluminum markets are under pressure. Supply disruptions, smelter outages, and import slowdowns are driving prices higher and tightening availability. We dig into what’s happening—and what buyers should be doing right now. 

Global markets are improving—but a major disruption is building. We break down rising inflation, Fed uncertainty, and the growing energy crisis tied to Middle East conflict and the Strait of Hormuz. What it means for supply chains, commodities, and recession risk. 

In this episode of Cup of Joe , Mike and Nick are joined by John Shipman, Ryerson’s Product Manager for Stainless Long Products , to discuss what’s happening in the stainless long market. John shares insights on current lead times, pricing trends driven by nickel, and the growing demand coming from data centers, aerospace, and energy. The conversation also covers how supply chains, imports, and sp...

Metals markets are moving fast—and several key commodities are hitting critical levels. In this commodities update, Nick Webb breaks down what’s driving the latest movements across steel, aluminum, copper, and nickel markets. Steel prices have climbed back above $1,000 per ton, aluminum premiums are reaching record highs, and tungsten carbide prices have surged due to supply restrictions from Chin...

Manufacturing activity is finally showing signs of life—but the global economy isn’t out of the woods yet. In this macro update from Cup of Joe , Nick Webb walks through the latest data showing improving manufacturing momentum while highlighting the risks still facing global supply chains. From geopolitical tensions in the Middle East to shifting tariff policies and inflation pressures, several fa...

In the final episode of our three-part Cup o’ Joe special, we focus on steel and stainless. We discuss current market dynamics, policy influences, and longer-term implications for producers, buyers, and the broader metals landscape. 

Part 2 of our three-part Cup o’ Joe special focuses on aluminum. We explore current supply and demand dynamics, cost pressures, and regional differences—and what they signal about where the aluminum market may be headed.

In Part 1 of a three-part Cup o’ Joe special, we break down the macroeconomic forces influencing today’s metals market—from demand signals to broader economic uncertainty—and explain why this moment feels different. 

In this episode, Nick shares his metal market predictions for 2026, focusing on the central tension facing the industry: whether demand weakens materially or pricing finally breaks under pressure. The discussion moves beyond surface-level data to examine buyer psychology, purchasing patterns, inventory behavior, and the economic forces influencing the metal market. Rather than calling for a collap...

In this holiday episode the guys grade Nick’s five metals-market predictions for 2025. They unpack what drove a split year around “Liberation Day” tariffs, why volatility dominated copper and energy, how inflation stayed sticky, what nickel’s cost curve is signaling, and why Chinese steel exports surprised to the upside even as U.S. imports fell. The show wraps with a grounded 2026 outlook for PMI...

In this month’s Cup o Joe , hosts Mike Carrozzo and Nick Webb break down the economic crosswinds heading into year-end — inflation that just won’t ease, a softening jobs picture, and a Fed caught between the two. Nick explains why tech’s “hyperscaling” has created wealth concentration unseen in decades, and how data centers are becoming a key driver of metals demand. Mike connects it all back to s...