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Base metals set for month-to-month drop as weak China demand weighs

Prices of nonferrous metals rose on Wednesday, supported by a softer dollar, although they were headed for a monthly drop due to weak need from top consumer China.

Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange was up 2% at $9,152 per metric heap, since 0738 GMT, while the most-traded September copper agreement on the Shanghai Futures Exchange closed 1.4% greater at 74,470 yuan ($ 10,303.42). a ton.

The dollar index traded lower on Wednesday,. making greenback-priced metals less expensive to holders of other. currencies.

LME copper has lost 4.6% up until now this month, and on track for. its greatest monthly fall because August 2023.

Production activity in China slipped to a five-month low. in July as factories come to grips with falling brand-new orders and low. costs, pointing to a grinding second half for the world's. production powerhouse.

The manufacturing sector takes in a big volume of metals.

Physical demand needs to show up initially for the market to. understand where the floor rate is, stated Guy Wolf, worldwide head of. market analytics at Marex, including that the price rebound could. be quick when Chinese purchasers enjoy to acquire.

There's no need for copper for now, funds are leaving and. momentum selling, stated a trader, adding that LME costs are. likely to fall as low as $8,450 by end-August.

LME aluminium increased 1.7% to $2,261.50 a ton, nickel. jumped 2.3% to $16,440, zinc advanced 1.9% to. $ 2,679, lead increased 1% to $2,054.50 and tin. climbed up 3.4% to $29,750.

LME aluminium and lead were likewise headed for their most significant. monthly losses because June 2022.

SHFE aluminium edged 0.5% greater at 19,135 yuan a. lot, nickel leapt 3.5% to 131,840 yuan, zinc. advanced 1.2% to 22,840 yuan, lead increased 0.6% to. 18,805 yuan and tin was up 2% at 249,320 yuan.

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(source: Reuters)