SHANGHAI, Feb 20 (SMM) – Operating rates across Chinese manufacturers of aluminium wire and cable averaged 32.8% in January, unchanged from December but fell 14 percentage points from a year ago, SMM research found.

Earlier breaks ahead of Chinese New Year lowered the operating rate from a year earlier. Continued impact of the CNY suspension will further weigh on the rate in February. 

For March, expectations of downstream orders are likely to buoy the rate to 50%.