LME aluminium prices gained ground on November 4, with cash and futures contracts moving higher. The Asian Reference Price also edged up, while exchange inventories declined. Alumina Platts prices, however, moved slightly lower. The cash bid rose by USD 53.50 per tonne , or 1.74 per cent, to USD 3,134.50 per tonne from USD 3,081 per tonne. The cash offer increased 1.72 per cent to USD 3,135 per tonne from USD 3,082 per tonne. Three-month aluminium prices also advanced. The bid climbed 1.08 per cent to USD 3,073 per tonne on November 4 from USD 3,040 per tonne, while the offer gained 1.05 per cent to USD 3,074 per tonne. It was previously at USD 3,042 per tonne . Explore the production, demand and consumption forecasts of bauxite and alumina in our report: " Global Bauxite & Alumina Market...
Global primary aluminium production experienced a sequential recovery in the third quarter of 2026, supported by the gradual restoration of disrupted smelting capacity in the GCC countries, stronger operational performance in Europe and Oceania, and incremental production gains across Asia and China. But beneath this quarterly improvement lies a contrasting reality - global output remained below the corresponding levels of both 2025 and 2024. According to data from the International Aluminium Institute (IAI), global primary aluminium production reached 18.377 million tonnes in Q3 2026, an increase of 2.1 per cent from 18.003 million tonnes in the preceding quarter. However, compared with Q3 2025, when production totalled 18.683 million tonnes, output declined by 1.64 per cent. Production...
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Vedanta Resources plc's subsidiary Vedanta Limited announced consolidated results for the first quarter ended 30 June 2018. The company reported continued strong financial performance. The company reported revenues of INR 22,206 crore, up 15 % YoY and EBITDA of INR 6,529 crore, up 31% YoY. Vedanta reported PAT at INR 1,533 crore, up 2% YoY and a strong financial position with total cash & liquid investments of INR 35,251 crore. Vedanta reported record quarterly aluminium production of 482kt and commencement of Odisha bauxite delivery to its Lanjigarh refinery. Commenting on the results, Mr. Kuldip Kaura, Chief Executive Officer, Vedanta Ltd, said: "We delivered strong EBITDA and steady margins this quarter driven by record volumes in aluminium, higher production in Oil & Gas, as well as,...
The Tiwai Point aluminium smelter has recruited 90 extra staff for its fourth potline and is already training them. This brings the total number of workers at the plant to 900, including contractors. Smelter general manager Stewart Hamilton says this recent recruitment drive has been the biggest since the 1990s. The fourth potline at the smelter will begin its operation by the end of the year and gradually increase production with a hike in orders. Out of these 90 new workers, most of them are from Southland. Hamilton reports this was a challenge to bring people from an outside environment to a large industrial high-tech environment, stating further "We have to make sure people are aware of the safety hazards and risks, know how to operate the equipment and be able to do it in a timely...
The US dollar index dipped 0.33% overnight and stood at 94.3, ahead of economic data release and central bank monetary policy meetings this week. LME base metals, except for zinc, rose across the board on Monday. After closing at US$ 2054 per tonne on Monday, LME aluminium climbed past the five-day moving average and hit a high of US$2,093 per tonne overnight. It is likely to extend its gains if its SHFE counterpart continues to strengthen. Shanghai Metals Market expects it to trade at US$2,070-2,090 per tonne today. As on July 30, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stands at US$ 2052 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 2054 per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at US$ 2073 per tonne, 3-months offer price is US$ 2074 per tonne; Dec 19 bid price stands at US$ 2122 per tonne,...
Primary aluminium spot discounts in east China narrowed on Monday, July 30, as local traders showed keen interest to purchase, Shanghai Metals Market learned. Discounts stood at RMB 70 to RMB 60 per tonne after dropping from RMB 90 to RMB 80 per tonne as on Friday, July 27. The SHFE August contract, however, gained in the morning trading session on Monday, July 30. Active liquidity among traders primarily drove the trading activity in east China. Some local traders held back as some had long-term contracts to fulfil. Some sellers also held on to cargoes because of the recent hike in aluminium prices. In Shanghai and Wuxi, most transactions were seen at RMB 14290 per tonne to RMB 14300 per tonne, while in Hanhzhou, transactions were heard at RMB 14300 per tonne to RMB 14320 per tonne....
The director of the White House National Economic Council on Sunday, July 29, staunchly defended the US President Donald Trump’s use of targeted tariffs against China and appreciated President’s no tariffs decision on the European Union. During an interview on CNN’s State of the Union, Larry Kudlow said, “You know, if they're targeted for good purpose, as per China, I think the answer is absolutely yes.” “That's always been my view. Most free traders agree. China has not played by the rules. And the trading system is broken, largely because of them.” Then commenting on the US no tariffs decision on the EU, he said, “Now, I hope we get to our EU trade deal,” “The president has adopted a view with which I completely agree. He's a free trader. And he wants to have no tariffs.” He further...
The dollar index slipped and closed at 94.66 last Friday as strong US economic growth in the second quarter failed to ease trade tensions. Most LME metals fell last Friday. LME aluminium closed the Friday trading at US$ 2055 per tonne and lost all of its early gains in the night trading hours and closed the last week above the 10-day moving average. Shanghai Metals Market expects it to trade rangebound between the 10- and five-day moving averages today with a trading range of US$2,050-2,070 per tonne. As on July 27, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stands at US$ 2053 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 2055 per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at US$ 2068.50per tonne, 3-months offer price is US$ 2069 per tonne; Dec 19 bid price stands at US$ 2118 per tonne, and Dec 19...
Primary aluminium inventory in China continued to shrink over the weekend ended on July 30, 2018, as consumption was bolstered by exports despite a low season in the domestic market, Shanghai Metals Market research found. The inventory across eight major consumption areas, including SHFE warrants, decreased 15,000 tonnes from last Thursday, July 26, to stand at 1.78 million tonnes, SMM data showed. The slow commissioning of new capacity dragged by rebounding costs could also be attributed to this further decline in inventory. In Wuxi and Jiangsu, the inventory today stood at 761,000 tonnes, while the inventory in Shanghai registered at 415,000 tonnes. In Nanhai and Guangdong, and Gongyi and Henan, the inventory recorded 229,000 tonnes and 162,000 tonnes, respectively. To know more, refer...
Global aluminum production growth ground to a standstill in the first half of this year. The world’s smelters produced 31.76 million tonnes of metal in January-June, a 1 percent decline on the first half of 2017, according to the International Aluminum Institute (IAI). Expressed in annualized terms, global output in June was almost two million tonnes lower than a year earlier. Production outside of China has been creeping higher since January but the growth rate is being constrained by an unusually high level of disruption with multiple plants operating at reduced rates. National run rates in China, the world’s largest single producer, have also been recovering from last year’s combination of “illegal” capacity closures and winter heating season restrictions but are still down on...
Another feather of glory adds to the hat of Rio Tinto as it stands as the first company in the entire aluminium value chain to receive the Chain of Custody Certification from Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI). This means Rio is now the only officially qualified company to sell aluminium with certification of assurance for highest environmental, social, and governance standards. Besides, this certification takes Rio a step ahead in commitment to responsible mining and metals production as the company to provide independent verification to customers that would allow them to trace the material through a ‘chain of custody’ spanning Rio Tinto’s Gove bauxite mine in Australia, its alumina refinery, aluminium smelters and casthouses in Quebec, Canada. Rio chief executive Alf Barrios said,...
The US dollar rose 0.6% last night to close at 94.76 as the euro fell. Base metals inched up for the most part as market worries eased after the US and EU stepped back from a potential trade war and agreed to be at the negotiation table. LME aluminium closed yesterday’s trading at US$ 2054 per tonne and felt pressure at the 20-day moving average during the European trading session as the US dollar strengthened. With support at the 10-day moving average, it closed the night trading at US$2,068 per tonne after dipping to a low of US$2,053 per tonne. With LME inventory going down 1,625 tonne to 1,207,600 tonnes, the contract is expected to trade rangebound at US$2,052-2,080 per tonne today. As on July 26, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stands at US$ 2053.50 per tonne, LME official settlement...
Shanghai Metals Market found Weiqiao Group planned to cut its pre-baked anode purchasing price by RMB 150 per tonne for August. But domestic producers on Wednesday, July 25, opposed the decision because of the industry’s loss since the past two months. SMM expects company to adjust its cut to RMB 0-50 per tonne from July level, which is why the final purchasing price is still under negotiations. As of July 2, Weiqiao Group lowered the prices for seven straight months on the face of oversupply in the market. The price for this month now stands at RMB 3100 per tonne in cash and RMB 3135 on acceptance, RMB 100 per tonne down from June. As far as the pre-baked anode average spot price is concerned, it has been hovering at RMB 3135 per tonne since 3 rd of July, after dropping from RMB 3235 per...
The US dollar dipped to around 94, and closed at 94.19. Base metals were under pressure from ongoing worries over a trade war even though the EU and US declared a ceasefire. LME aluminium fell 0.7% from Tuesday to close at US$ 2056.50 per tonne. The contract jumped after opening overnight, to a high of US$2,087.5 per tonne as the greenback weakened and closed at $2,064 per tonne in the morning. Inventory across LME warehouses fell 2,900 tonnes to 1,209,225 tonnes after several days of increase. Shanghai Metals Market expects LME aluminium to trade at US$2,066-2,086 per tonne. As on July 25, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stands at US$ 2056 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 2056.50 per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at US$ 2073 per tonne, 3-months offer price is US$...
A report by VK Saraswat, NITI Aayog member, and Aniruddha Ghosh, a Delhi-based economist suggests that the Centre must actively consider recognizing the aluminium sector as India’s ninth core industry. The sector contributes to 2% of manufacturing GDP and creates about 8 lakh direct and indirect jobs. Currently, India lists coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertiliser, steel, cement and electricity as the eight core industries. The report says that Indian aluminium facilities are generally based in the remote and underdeveloped areas of the country and they help in generating peripheral employment, infrastructural and economic development of the surrounding areas. “Therefore, we recommend into looking actively into the possibility of classifying aluminium as a core...
The US dollar index fell 0.05% to close at 94.58 with pressure from a stronger euro, which was buoyed by robust German economic data. LME base metals rose across the board overnight. After closing yesterday’s trading lower at US$ 2082 per tonne, LME aluminium rallied twice, and hit a high of US$2,114 per tonne as the US dollar weakened during night trading. LME inventory increased 2,850 tonnes to 1,212,125 tonnes overnight. As the probability for the US to lift its sanction against Rusal increases, LME inventory is likely to pile up further in the near term as the panic buying has saturated . The contract will feel pressure at the US$2,100 tonne level, and the contract is expected to trade at US$2,065-2,100 per tonne today. As on July 24, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stands at US$ 2080...
According to the latest update by Shanghai Metals Market, larger aluminium spot discounts have resulted in narrow trading activities in the east China spot aluminium market as sellers there showed slight reluctance in offloading cargoes on Tuesday, July 24. Yesterday, spot discounts in the east were mostly seen at RMB 90 per tonne to RMB 80 per tonne against the SHFE August contract, compared to the spot discounts of RMB 80 per tonne to RMB 60 per tonne in the previous day. Trading in the east remained thin as traders and downstream consumers adopted a wait-and-watch stance. Most transactions in Shanghai and Wuxi were done at RMB 14110 per tonne to RMB 14230 per tonne; while in Hangzhou, transactions were at RMB 14120 per tonne to RMB 14140 per tonne. Traders in the south were also...
Hydro in its latest report has unveiled results of the second quarter of 2018, covering each product like bauxite, alumina, primary aluminium, and downstream exclusively. In one of our previous news, we have already discussed the results of bauxite and alumina production. Now, coming to primary aluminium, Hydro’s underlying EBIT shrank from NOK 823 in Q1 2018 to NOK 755 in Q2 2018, registering a decline of 8 per cent and 49 per cent from NOK 1486 in Q2 2017. The EBIT for H1 of the present calendar year also dropped to NOK 1578, compared to NOK 2386 in the contemporary period last year. The drop in EBIT was primarily due to higher raw material and fixed costs and negative currency effects, partly offset by higher all-in metal prices. According to Hydro President and CEO Svein Richard...
Alba’s top-line and bottom-line for the second quarter and first-half of 2018 were primarily driven by higher sales volume, higher LME prices (an increase of 18% Year-over-Year (YoY)) and the impact of Line 5 recovery in Q2 2017. The Company generated a Net Income of BD 29.1 million (US$ 77.4 million) in the second quarter of 2018 versus BD 17.7 million (US$ 46.9 million) for the same period in 2017, up by 65% YoY. With regards to Total Sales/Revenues, Alba reported BD 244.0 million (US$ 648.9 million) in Q2 2018, up by 36% YoY, compared to BD 179.3 million (US$ 476.9 million) in Q2 2017. Earnings per share (EPS) in this quarter were fils 21 versus fils 12 in Q2 2017. With regards to the first half of 2018, Alba’s Net Income stood at BD 63.0 million (US$ 167.5 million), an increase of 46%...
The US dollar climbed up steadily and closed at 94.62 last night. Most base metals fell for the most part with pressure from a strengthened US dollar. The LME aluminium contract closed at US$2130 per tonne on Monday July 23, up from the last closing. The contract tested pressure at the 20-day moving average and touched a high of US$2,081 per tonne overnight, given the prospect of sanctions against Rusal being lifted. It is likely to trade at US$2,050-2,080 per tonne today. As on July 23, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stands at US$ 2128 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 2130 per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at US$ 2076 per tonne, 3-months offer price is US$ 2077 per tonne; Dec 19 bid price stands at US$ 2120 per tonne, and Dec 19 offer price stands at US$ 2125 per...
