SMM Sees Aluminum as Worst Performer among Base Metals 

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Geopolitical tensions in West Asia have disrupted energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz, tightening LPG and natural gas supply to India. With gas diverted to households, according to the Aluminium Extrusion Manufacturers Association of India industrial supply has been cut by 50–80%, severely impacting energy-intensive aluminum extrusion. Around 25 plants have been shut down while ~200 operate at reduced rates, dragging monthly output from ~70,000 mt to ~45,000 mt. The supply-driven disruption is tightening downstream availability and supporting aluminum product premiums.

[SMM Flash News] SHFE data showed that as of March 23, the total registered volume of cast aluminum alloy warrants was 44,991 mt, down 2,741 mt from the previous trading day. By region, the total registered volume was Shanghai (3,177 mt, down 515 mt), Guangdong (17,467 mt, down 453 mt), Jiangsu (5,022 mt, down 453 mt), Zhejiang (14,155 mt, down 1,079 mt), Chongqing (3,843 mt, down 91 mt), and Sichuan (1,327 mt, down 150 mt). The English translation of the above text is:

[SMM Daily Review of Aluminum Alloy] The secondary aluminum alloy ADC12 market continued to weaken today, with mainstream enterprises generally cutting offers by 200–400 yuan/mt. The weaker prices were mainly dragged down by larger declines in aluminum prices and futures, with the cost center moving lower in tandem. In addition, some enterprises had shown relatively strong bullish sentiment earlier and lagged in the pace of price adjustments, leading to a catch-up decline in the market today. In terms of market sentiment, secondary aluminum enterprises turned cautious and bearish on the short-term aluminum price trend, focusing mainly on active shipments. Demand side, support remained weak, downstream procurement was maintained only for rigid demand, wait-and-see sentiment was strong, and