SMM Aluminum Downstream Report: Production and Sales Decline, PMI Drops Below 50 Amid Off-Season and Weak Demand

[SMM Aluminum Downstream Analysis: Production and Sales Decline MoM in Off-Season, Aluminum Processing Industry PMI Falls Below the 50 Mark Again]

Across various aluminum processing sectors, operating rates in December for alloys, plates and strips, foils, cables, and construction profiles showed a significant MoM decline, with both domestic and export orders weakening on the demand side. Entering January, as the Chinese New Year approaches, market demand is expected to become even more subdued. Based on production schedules and new orders, SMM forecasts that the domestic aluminum processing industry PMI will remain below the 50 mark in January.