Norsk Hydro’s earnings outlook for 2027 is facing mounting pressure from falling aluminium premiums, rising operating costs and easing supply tightness in Europe, prompting Goldman Sachs to downgrade the Norwegian producer from ‘buy’ to ‘neutral’ and reduce its price target from NOK 100 (USD 10.71) to NOK 79 (USD 8.46). Goldman said weaker premiums and higher costs were making further earnings growth harder to achieve in 2027. The bank also lowered its core earnings (EBITDA) forecasts for 2026 and 2027 by 6 per cent each, citing lower aluminium prices and rising costs. The changing market conditions come as additional metal from the Middle East reaches the market and Indonesian aluminium supply expands faster than expected, easing European supply constraints sooner than Goldman had...
Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd is expected to face weaker smelting margins in the second half of 2026 as aluminium supply constraints ease, input costs rise and market sentiment shifts towards a potential surplus in 2027, according to Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) Research. “The narrative now is increasingly shifting to a potential surplus in 2027. Coupled with falling Japan-Port (MJP) premium and rising alumina as well as carbon anode costs, we foresee sequentially weaker smelting margins in 2H2026,” the research house said in a note on Monday. HLIB Research estimates that Press Metal’s core earnings for the third quarter of 2026 will range between MYR 600 million (USD 146.85 million) and MYR 650 million (USD 159.09 million), representing a decline of 10 per cent to 17 per cent...
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Europe’s aluminium premium has climbed to a near four-year high, but buyers are resisting elevated levels, with at least one deal reportedly struck below the benchmark. Mercuria, a global commodities trader, sold metal at a discount of USD 10 to USD 15 per tonne below Fastmarkets’ assessed premium, reflecting weak buying interest. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " The duty-paid premium for aluminium in Europe rose to around USD 587.50 per tonne in early April amid concerns that escalating tensions in the Middle East could disrupt supply chains. However, deals are increasingly being negotiated below benchmark levels as sellers prioritise liquidity. In Europe, buyers usually pay the LME price plus a...
President Claudia Sheinbaum said Mexico is seeking an early agreement with the United States on aluminium, steel and automobiles ahead of the review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " Speaking at a press conference, Sheinbaum said these sectors are important for Mexico’s economy. She further added, "We hope that a preliminary agreement can be reached" before the formal review process is completed. The comments came as Jamieson Greer, US Trade Representative, visited Mexico for trade discussions. Mexico is a major exporter of vehicles, auto parts, and machinery, with most shipments going to the United States. The upcoming USMCA review is significant for...
Aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) improved on April 21, in contrast to the previous close. Cash price reported gains by wide margins, futures contracts recovered from the previous session’s decline, while opening stocks continued to slide. To know more about the global primary aluminium industry 2026 outlook, book the report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 ”. On April 21, the LME aluminium cash bid as well as offer price rose USD 23 per tonne or 0.64 per cent. The bid inched up from USD 3,589 per tonne on April 20 to USD 3,612 per tonne on April 21, while the offer price climbed from USD 3,590 per tonne to USD 3,613 per tonne. The LME aluminium three-month contract followed a similar upward trend. The bid price edged up from USD 3,552 per tonne on April 20 to...
At a refinery in Krasnoturinsk, work is continuing to modernise existing processing systems, with a new piece of equipment now in use at the site. The facility, known as the Bogoslovsky Aluminium Plant, is part of RUSAL’s alumina production network. The latest addition is located in the section where bauxite is processed to extract aluminium oxide. This step is known as 'leaching', and it is crucial to alumina production because it determines how much usable material can be recovered, while the rest becomes residue. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026" The new unit is one of several planned improvements within what the company refers to as its fourth processing area, where outdated systems are being gradually...
Global aluminium production and supply is considerably driven by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which contributes around 9 per cent of aluminium to the supply chain. Every year, the GCC produces and supplies approximately 6 to 6.5 million tonnes and 5 to 5.5 million tonnes of aluminium, respectively. However, 2026 is proving to be an exception owing to the ongoing Middle East conflict, as the impact of the geopolitical tensions clearly reflect on the aluminium production of the region in the January-March quarter (Q1) of 2026. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain Aluminium production and supply have been strained for nearly two months since the end of February and the beginning of the Middle East...
Saudi Arabia is sharpening its focus on aluminium and mining, with the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources taking on a strategic role at the next Aluminium Arabia event. The move reflects a wider push to expand industries beyond oil and to build a stronger manufacturing base in line with Vision 2030. The Ministry’s involvement is expected to bring greater attention to the aluminium sector, which has been identified as a key area for growth. Under the National Industrial Strategy, mining is projected to contribute around SAR240 billion (USD 64 billion) to the economy by 2030. Officials see aluminium as an important part of that ambition, not only for its export potential but also for its role in developing local supply chains. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book...
With the recent opening of the Strait of Hormuz for commercial vessels, the London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium price is starting to ease even further from the last day’s close. The declining trend continued at the longer-dated contracts as well as at the inventory level. The LME cash bid rose by USD 69 per tonne or 2 per cent, shifting from USD 3,658 per tonne to USD 3,589 per tonne. Similarly, the LME cash offer finally settled at USD 3,590 per tonne, down from USD 3,660 per tonne, showing a difference of USD 70 per tonne or 2 per cent. Must read: Key industry individuals share their thoughts on the trending topics At the longer-dated contracts, the declining trend was followed by the LME 3-month bid and offer, where the bid settled down at USD 3,552 per tonne, declining from USD...
ABB has been selected to deliver control and electrical systems for the Illvatn pumped storage hydropower plant being developed by Norsk Hydro in western Norway, supporting the company’s aluminium production. The contract, booked in the fourth quarter of 2025, covers a range of systems including control, monitoring and electrical equipment, although financial details have not been disclosed. The Illvatn project itself is a significant one for Hydro. It is the company’s largest hydropower investment in over 20 years, with a total framework of around USD 265 million, and an estimated net cost after tax of about USD 127 million. Once operational, the plant is expected to deliver a net increase of 107 GWh of renewable power annually, with gross output rising by around 210 GWh. The additional...
Vedanta Ltd. was among the most actively traded stocks by value on April 20, 2026, even as its share price declined slightly. The stock recorded a traded volume of 28,30,805 shares, with a total value of about INR 2198.9 million (USD 23.65 million). It opened at INR 782.95 (USD 8.42), which was also the day’s high, and fell to a low of INR 772.05 (USD 8.30). It closed at INR 778.40 (USD 8.37), down 1.03 per cent from the previous close of INR 787.50 (USD 8.47). For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " The stock remains close to its 52-week high of INR 791.15 (USD 8.51), indicating that prices have stayed relatively strong over the past year. However, the day’s fall came after a run of 12 consecutive sessions of...
The Foreign Minister of Iran’s announcement on Friday regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for the rest of the ceasefire period to grant passage for commercial vessels significantly reflected on the London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices, which cooled at the close of the April 17 session after reaching another high on April 16. This indicates the massive impact of the Middle East conflict on the aluminium market movement. The LME aluminium cash bid slipped from USD 3,678 per tonne on April 16 to USD 3,658 per tonne on April 17, marking a decline of 0.54 per cent. The offer also decreased 0.5 per cent day-on-day from USD 3,678.5 per tonne to USD 3,660 per tonne. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the...
Century Aluminum has begun producing its first hot metal following the expansion of its Mt Holly plant in South Carolina , marking a milestone in its capacity ramp-up. The company expects the project to reach full production by the end of June 2026, increasing total US primary aluminium output by around 10 per cent. The expansion has already created more than 125 jobs in South Carolina. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " “We’re so proud to be doing our part to increase domestic production of this critical mineral and expand on our position as the largest producer of primary aluminium in the United States,” said Jesse Gary, President and CEO of Century Aluminum. The development follows the company’s...
Alcoa boosted Q1 2026 profits (about USD 212 million net income) with higher aluminium prices (around USD 3,600-3680 per tonne) despite falling revenue. The company reported Q1 2026 revenue of USD 3.2 billion, down from USD 3.4 billion in Q4 2025. Net income rose to USD 425 million, or USD 1.60 per share, compared with USD 213 million in the fourth quarter of 2025. Adjusted net income stood at USD 373 million, while adjusted EBITDA reached USD 595 million. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " Despite lower shipments, higher aluminium prices supported earnings (USD 425 million in Q1). Results also benefited from a USD 158 million gain linked to shares in Saudi mining company Ma’aden. But lower volumes, weak...
Industrial metals reached a record high on the London Metal Exchange, supported by strong gains in aluminium and a recent rise in copper prices. The LME index , which tracks six major metals, has climbed nearly 12 per cent in the past four weeks and closed at an all-time high on Thursday. Aluminium prices have risen about 15 per cent since the start of the Iran war. Around 9 per cent of global aluminium output comes from the Middle East, making the market sensitive to disruptions in the region. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " Aluminium has the largest share in the index, and along with copper, the two metals account for almost three-quarters of its value. JPMorgan Chase & Co. warned that the aluminium...
Kuala Lumpur-based Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Berhad is recognised as Southeast Asia’s largest aluminium smelter with annual capacity exceeding 1 million tonnes. The founding family has witnessed a notable increase in wealth, reinforced by favourable aluminium market conditions and steady company performance. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain Press Metal has maintained stable operational performance despite global economic uncertainties, and the proprietor family of Koon Poh Keong and his siblings have emerged as the second-richest individuals in Malaysia, after a significant rise in their net worth over the past year. Press Metal’s financial performance Improved aluminium prices , driven by...
Deutsche Bank has downgraded Norsk Hydro to “hold” from "buy", as it raised its price target to NOK100 (USD 9.3) from NOK88 (USD 8.2), citing stretched valuations after a sharp rally in aluminium prices. Shares of the Norwegian producer closed at NOK107.60 (USD 10), marking a record high. The stock has doubled over the past year and gained nearly 40 per cent in 2026 so far, supported by firm aluminium prices . For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " Analyst Liam Fitzpatrick said the bank remains constructive on the company’s long-term outlook. He noted that current valuations reflect aluminium prices beyond sustainable levels. According to Deutsche Bank, Norsk Hydro’s share price implies aluminium prices in...
Fives, an industrial engineering Group, has entered into a partnership with Norda Stelo, a Canada-based impact engineering firm, offering sustainable and innovative solutions, to bring innovative robotics solutions to the aluminium industry. Within this collaboration, Fives ECL will incorporate robotic technology within its Anode Rodding Shops (ARS). By implementing these systems, the firm can connect both the upstream and downstream with SOFIA (Smart On-the-Fly Inspection and Analysis). SOFIA, a solution by Fives, which has been designed to characterise anode butt process parameters and boost operational quality. Also read: BRP halts FY27 outlook as US tariff shift triggers $500M cost hit With nearly 30 years of experience in high-precision robotic automation, the Canadian firm made its...
The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium price saw a modest decline on April 14, but again on the next day, i.e. April 15, the price rose, touching the four-year high again. However, the longer dated contract continued the declining trend along with the LME warehouse. The LME cash bid price rose by USD 98 per tonne or 3 per cent, shifting from USD 3,580 per tonne to USD 3,678 per tonne. At the same time, the LME offer also rose by USD 97.5 per tonne or 3 per cent, moving from USD 3,581 per tonne to USD 3,678.5 per tonne. Must read: Key industry individuals share their thoughts on the trending topics Both the LME 3-month bid and offer expanded by USD 71 per tonne or 2 per cent, where the bid rose to USD 3,636 per tonne from USD 3,565 per tonne and the final offer was at USD 3,636.5 per...
If you had to pin down the aluminium industry today in just a few words, what would they be? At AL Circle, we call it critical, agile, sensitive, and resilient – not because it makes for a tidy line but because it describes the present condition of the metal. Critical because the metal is now almost indispensable for the modern world's infrastructure. Strip it out, and you cripple EVs, defence systems, aerospace engineering, data infrastructure, and renewable energy push. We call it agile because the industry has evolved at a pace that most legacy sectors can’t keep up with. New technologies, process efficiencies, digital integration, sustainability mandates – you name it, and aluminium has adapted to it all. Well, the market is sensitive too because it has been responding and reacting...
