The data illustrate the mean price fluctuations by month of three metals during 2014.
Overall, nickel had the strongest fluctuations, while copper and zinc prices had slight variations throughout the period.
Nickel prices started the year with the highest increase of 6% in January, before dropping to more modest growths of 1% in March and April, followed by a sudden value decrease of -3% in June. The prices then consistently decreased at -1% rates for the following three months, ending the year with 1% price increases in both November and December.
Copper started the year with a 1% rise in value and continued increasing at slower rates for the next four months, before dropping its prices by less than -1% in May and June. Then, it had stable 1% growths from July to September with marginal increases later and ending with a 1% growth by December.
Lastly, zinc had varying degrees of value growth for the first 5 months, followed by a steep -3% drop between May and June. Then, it stabilized its price until October, where it suddenly increased, leading to a 2% rise in December.