[0:04]
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[0:21]
Nick: Merry early Christmas, Brett. How are you doing?
Brett: Good, man. Two days before Christmas, one day before Christmas Eve. Probably the last Metal Monday we’re going to have in person this year.
Nick: Yeah, we’re doing a virtual Metal Monday. I’ll be in sunny Florida.
Brett: Nice!
Nick: My wife’s turning 40, so we’re going to go watch the Tampa Bay Bucs play. She loves that team, and we’re going to support them. Taking the girls and enjoying Florida for the holidays.
Brett: Forty’s the new 30—that’s what you need to tell her!
Nick: Oh yeah. I turned 40 a few years ago, and I feel great.
Brett: A spring chicken, huh?
Nick: Yeah, some days I want to pop out of bed like I used to, but this morning at the gym, my shoulder felt like it was going to blow out. I was like, “What the hell is wrong with me?” Then I remembered: Oh yeah, I’m 43.
Brett: That’s just part of the deal. A few more aches and pains, but maybe a little wiser, too.
Nick: Yeah, give and take.
[1:26]
Nick: As we wrap up the year, I like to reflect. I feel so grateful for our team and how much we’ve grown as a company. Looking back to a year ago is insane.
Brett: Yeah, every year seems like it just builds—year over year over year.
Nick: I’m just grateful for the opportunity and also excited for the chance to win $100 next week.
Brett: Well, it’s not over till the fat lady sings! You’ve got a week—you’ve got a chance.
Nick: It doesn’t look very good, but hey, we’ll see.
[2:02]
Brett: So, why is copper getting its ass kicked so bad?
Nick: I don’t know. I think it’s being lightly traded right now. China talked about stimulus measures, but it hasn’t amounted to much.
Brett: And the dollar’s been super strong—that’s rough on the markets.
Nick: Yeah, the strength of the dollar is the main reason commodities are struggling. But non-ferrous overall has been pretty good this year. Aluminum’s been strong, nickel’s been decent, and lead’s been okay. Copper has been good sporadically throughout the year.
[2:55]
Brett: So overall, it’s been a pretty good non-ferrous year, but ferrous has struggled.
Nick: Definitely, and a lot of that has to do with the dollar, export challenges, and the domestic market.
[3:06]
Nick: It’s been an election year. Now that it’s behind us, I hope the economy grows overall because that helps everyone win. It’s tough when only some people are winning.
Brett: Agreed. Deregulation and more opportunities for manufacturing can help everyone win. If it’s easier to do business, more people can succeed.
[4:32]
Nick: People get too obsessed with politics. It can have an impact, but you still control most of your household and business outcomes.
Brett: Exactly. People need to take ownership. No matter what happens, I’m going to keep going hard year in and year out—until my shoulder gives out, anyway!
[5:45]
Nick: Merry Christmas to everyone. The markets are what they are. They’ve softened up a bit, and it looks like we’re going into the end of the year with a dribble. But I’m hopeful for 2025—it could be a positive year for many industries.
Brett: Time will tell. The proof will be in the pudding.
Nick: I’m looking forward to 2025 and grateful for 2024.
[6:32]
Nick: Merry Christmas, everyone.
Brett: Merry Christmas. Take care.
[6:38]
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