[Ferro-Alloys.com]Cobalt availability continued to prevent prices from rising much last week. Demand is decent, sellers said, but there are plenty of units on offer and most consumers have covered their requirements under contracts. The result is that cobalt is likely to trade in a narrow range. A rash of year-end producer sales encouraged some traders that the excess inventory had been cleared and that prices were poised to rise in January. Producers, however, continue to be active sellers, traders said. In fact, a trader reported being offered sizeable volumes of good quality cathode from three producers at $11.50-11.80 per lb. At the same time, another trader said he made a forward sale of 99.8% Co at around $12.50. For the most part spot prices for 99.8% Co were $11.50-12 per lb. Low-grade cobalt is trading in the low $11s, although a German consumer is believed to have bought at $10.30.

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