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Re: What is up with lead prices?
I've heard two possible explanations for the price rise in the metals market. The first is a simple demand-driven (supply & demand) price increase due to overseas markets aggressively buying scrap and refinery output.
The second may seem less obvious, but I think it may play a considerable role here, and that is: the economy of perceived scarcity. Again, overseas markets increase demand, buy that doesn't itself drastically increase the price. Instead, buyers become willing to pay more-- much more-- if they're afraid the supply will decrease precipitously. Ask yourself, "What am I willing to pay for lead, vs what I think it's actually worth?" And yes, suppliers will actively capitalize on that perception.
What to do about it? Not much can be done, except to not "hoard" lead-- which means don't buy more than you need for a while. That's the only thing that may eventually reduce the price, since it's probably unlikely that any increased output from lead mines will dramatically increase supply any time soon.
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