LME aluminium prices moved lower on March 18 compared to March 17 across both cash and forward contracts, while exchange inventories also declined.

The cash bid price fell to USD 3,399.5 per tonne on March 18 from USD 3,425 per tonne on March 17, marking a 0.74 per cent decrease. The cash offer price slipped to USD 3,400 per tonne from USD 3,426 per tonne, down 0.76 per cent.

In the forward market, the 3-month bid price declined to USD 3,379.5 per tonne from USD 3,412 per tonne, a 0.95 per cent drop, while the 3-month offer price edged down to USD 3,380 per tonne from USD 3,413 per tonne, also reflecting a 0.97 per cent decrease.

To know more about the global primary aluminium industry 2026 outlook, book the report “Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026”.

Further along the curve, the December 2027 bid price stood at USD 3,030 per tonne on March 18, compared to USD 3,043 per tonne on March 17, down 0.43 per cent. The December 2027 offer price declined to USD 3,035 per tonne from USD 3,048 per tonne, also a 0.43 per cent decrease.

The LME aluminium 3-month Asian Reference Price was assessed at USD 3,400 per tonne on March 18.

On the inventory side, LME aluminium opening stock decreased to 440,325 tonnes on March 18 from 442,825 tonnes on March 17, reflecting a 0.56 per cent decline. Live warrants remained unchanged at 273,050 tonnes, while cancelled warrants fell to 163,575 tonnes from 167,275 tonnes, marking a sharper 2.21 per cent drop.

Meanwhile, the LME alumina Platts price stood at USD 300.14 per tonne.

Don’t miss out- Buyers are looking for your products on our B2B platform