Trading Brisk in Spot Market as SHFE Aluminum Rally Fuels Bullishness, SMM Reports

[SMM Aluminum Flash] On August 17, LME aluminum inventory totaled 246,900 mt, down 1,375 mt from the previous day, a decrease of 0.55%; over the past week, LME aluminum inventory fell by 7,975.00 mt in total, a decrease of 3.13%; over the past month, LME aluminum inventory fell by 33,200 mt in total, a decrease of 11.84%.

[SMM Aluminum Flash] On August 17, SHFE aluminum futures warrants totaled 295,845 mt, down 1,998 mt from the previous trading day; over the past week, SHFE aluminum futures warrants fell by 8,896 mt in total, a decline of 2.92%; over the past month, SHFE aluminum futures warrants fell by 83,946 mt in total, a decline of 22.10%.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Indonesia is preparing to launch a new Mineral and Strategic Commodities Exchange, tentatively called the Indonesia Commodity Exchange (Icomex), with operations targeted to begin on 1 January 2027. Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said on 17 August that Icomex would operate broadly like the Indonesia Stock Exchange, but for commodity trading. The government is still developing the price-formation mechanism, which is expected to take into account production costs and international market prices. The government has not yet decided which commodities will be required or eligible to trade through Icomex. CPO, nickel and coal have been cited as examples, but Prasetyo stressed that the final list remains under discussion. The government is also considering how the existing Indonesia Commodity & Derivatives Exchange (ICDX) would fit into the new structure, including whether ICDX could be integrated into Icomex or continue operating separately.