LME aluminium dips 0.21% as stronger supply outweighs demand support

Aluminium prices rose on Thursday, August 20, leading other base metals, as falling stocks and stronger demand from China supported the market. But the rise was held back by an increase in global supply.

At the London Metal Exchange (LME), cash aluminium bid stood at USD 2,566 per tonne, down 0.21 per cent from USD 2,571.5 per tonne a day earlier, while the cash offer price also dropped by 0.21 per cent per cent to USD 2,567 per tonne from USD 2,572.5 on August 19.

The three-month contract also eased slightly, with the bid and offer both falling 0.23 per cent, to USD 2,567 per tonne and USD 2,568 per tonne, respectively.

Far-dated contracts were broadly stable. The December 2026 bid edged down 0.04 per cent to USD 2,622 per tonne from USD 2,623 per tonne, while the offer price slipped by the same margin to USD 2,627 per tonne from USD 2,628 per tonne.

The three-month Asian Reference Price was reported at USD 2,576.50 per tonne on August 20.

Stocks were unchanged across sessions. LME opening stock came in at 479,525 tonnes on both August 19 and 20, with live warrants at 465,475 tonnes and cancelled warrants at 14,050 tonnes.

Get more industry insights from - Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2025

Meanwhile, alumina prices held steady, with the LME alumina Platts assessment flat at USD 370.60 per tonne.

The most-traded aluminium contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange climbed 0.73 per cent to yuan 20,670 per tonne as of 0231 GMT. On the LME, three-month aluminium edged 0.17 per cent higher to USD 2,581 a tonne.

“Spot (aluminium) demand has showed signs of improvement; that coupled with destocking of some products supported prices,” said a Shanghai-based analyst, who requested anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to media.

Galaxy Futures noted that reduced stockpiles would help keep Shanghai aluminium supported despite downside risks.

Global primary aluminium output rose 2.5 per cent year-on-year in July to 6.373 million tonnes, the International Aluminium Institute (IAI) said.

Base metals traded mixed on the LME. Copper was up 0.02 per cent, nickel slipped 0.05 per cent, lead fell 0.08 per cent, and zinc dropped 0.11 per cent.