A silvery metal that resists corrosion even at high temperatures, nickel is used to plate other materials. It is a primary ingredient in stainless steel and is also used in manufacturing products such as electric vehicle batteries and semiconductors.
Copper-nickel alloys are primarily used in marine applications where it is important to avoid ammonia stress cracking and biofilms. They are also suitable for a range of other applications where it is not possible to use brass alloys, such as in seawater intake systems, piping and offshore sheathing.
The price of copper is on a downward trend as investors revert to commodities that have long held up against the backdrop of recession fears and a strong dollar. International prices of the base metal have fallen almost to a four-month low, with analysts expecting further declines.
Investors who are looking for ways to diversify their portfolio can consider investing in nickel companies that have the potential to expand their production. There are several top nickel producers that could be worth a look, including Vale (NYSE:VALE), Glencore (NYSE:GLNC) and South32.
Vale is a Brazilian-based company that has long been one of the world’s largest nickel producers and refiners. It recently spun off its copper- and nickel-producing divisions in an effort to revalue those assets.
Another nickel-focused stock with solid production is Sherritt International (NYSE:STC). The company has two mining operations in Cuba and an Alberta, Canada refinery that produces 35,000 MT of nickel and 3,800 MT of cobalt per year.
