Latest News

Aluminium slips to practically four-month short on need issues

Aluminium rates fell to their least expensive in almost 4 months as some bullish positions were scrapped amid issues about demand with an absence of fresh stimulus in leading customer China.

Three-month aluminium on the London Metal Exchange lost 1.5% to $2,316 per metric heap in main open-outcry trading after striking $2,311, its lowest since March 28, breaking below its 200-day moving average of $2,354.

Long liquidation continues onshore and on the LME. Absolutely nothing positive to see from our nano information readings, said Alastair Munro, senior base metals strategist at brokerage Marex.

Rates for aluminium, used in the construction, transportation and packaging sectors, are down 17% because hitting their greatest in practically two years in late May.

Metal markets were looking for signs that the Chinese government would do something about it to resolve the nation's extended home depression, the greatest motorist of industrial metals demand.

Nevertheless, recently's crucial political meeting failed to lay our more policies to prop up demand for metals, said ING products expert Ewa Manthey.

Without additional stimulus steps, there is little expect a near-term healing for the residential or commercial property and building sector. We anticipate copper and other commercial metals rates to decrease even more in the near term to show a softer need outlook in China, Manthey stated.

Adding more pressure on aluminium from the supply side, global aluminium output increased by 4% in the first half of 2024, driven mainly by higher production in China.

Meanwhile, LME copper eased 0.6% to $9,250 a load in official activity after touching $9,197, its weakest given that April 3.

The metal is down 17% because reaching a record high on May 20, and this has restored some physical buying in China. The premium to import copper into China rose to $9 a load on Friday, the highest because April 15.

Zinc was down 1.9% at $2,725, lead fell 1.6%. to $2,095, tin dropped 2.3% to $30,325 and nickel. slipped 0.8% to $16,120.

(source: Reuters)