SMM Ranking by Metal Price Increase (Month)2015.05.29

[Ceasefire Unlikely to Resolve Supply Weakness; Aluminum Prices Retain Strong Support at High Levels] Overall, the two-week ceasefire news was unable to reverse the firm pattern underpinned by substantive supply damage and low inventory. Expectations of tangible supply contraction triggered by attacks on Middle Eastern aluminum smelters, combined with low global inventory and the recovery of peak-season demand in China, will provide strong upward momentum for aluminum prices. In the near term, aluminum prices are expected to hold up well.

[SMM Cast Aluminum Alloy Morning Comment: Weak Demand, ADC12 Spot Continued to Weaken] Spot side, the ADC12 market continued in the doldrums yesterday. Affected by aluminum prices being in the doldrums and poor demand-side performance, market sentiment turned cautious. Most market participants slightly lowered their quotes, while a few enterprises held prices steady and took a wait-and-see approach. Currently, low-priced resources increased, the transaction center shifted downward, and prices showed a passive pullback pattern. In the short term, against the backdrop of marginally weakening cost support and limited demand improvement, ADC12 prices are expected to remain in the doldrums.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Metro Mining (ASX:MMI) resumed operations at Bauxite Hills in mid-March after Tropical Cyclone Narelle caused minimal disruption, with only seven days of lost production and no infrastructure damage. The Port of Skardon reopened on 25 March, with barging gradually returning to full capacity by mid-April. Despite the disruption, 100,000 WMT was shipped in March. Transhipping continues via TSA Skardon Floating Crane and ultramax vessels, while the Ikamba Offshore Floating Terminal is en route back from maintenance in Batam and expected to arrive end-April. Full-year 2026 shipments are forecast at 6.6–7.1 million WMT.