Aluminum Billet Inventory Hits Nearly Three-Year High, Market Transactions Remain Weak [SMM Aluminum Billet Weekly Review]

SMM, February 13: According to SMM statistics, as of February 13, 2025, the domestic social inventory of aluminum billets was 300,400 mt, an increase of 25,500 mt (9.3%) compared to the first day after the holiday (February 5) and an increase of 76,900 mt compared to pre-holiday levels (January 27). Regarding outflows from warehouses, during the Chinese New Year period (January 27 to February 9), aluminum billet outflows from warehouses reached 17,100 mt, roughly higher than the same period last year. Currently, aluminum billet inventory has surpassed 300,000 mt. SMM expects that under the anticipation of the first traditional peak season for downstream demand in March and April, coupled with the gradual recovery of downstream operations to normal levels, the turning point for domestic aluminum billet inventory will appear around late February. Domestic aluminum billet inventory continues to show an increasing trend. Although the pace of downstream resumption has accelerated, downstream activities are mainly focused on stockpiling before the holiday, while purchases remain cautious, and overall market transactions remain sluggish.