Aluminium billet inventories shrank 6,400 mt on week

[SMM News] The China petroleum coke market continued to diverge today, with low-sulphur petroleum coke prices remaining firm while mid and high-sulphur petroleum coke prices were under pressure. SMM data showed that the spot price index for 1# petroleum coke in north-east China was 4,863.19 yuan/mt, and the spot price index for 3# petroleum coke in north-west China was 4,174.16 yuan/mt, both remaining stable compared to last Friday. The spot price index for 2# petroleum coke in Shandong was recorded at 4,254.65 yuan/mt, down 1.71% from last Friday; the spot price index for 3# petroleum coke in Shandong was recorded at 3,697.31 yuan/mt, down 1.63% from last Friday; and the spot price index for 4# petroleum coke in Shandong was recorded at 1,934.88 yuan/mt, down 4.44% from last Friday.

[SMM Aluminum News Flash] The aluminum fluoride market operated steadily overall this week, with prices holding at levels after the mid-month raise. Overall, the aluminum fluoride industry continued to face a weak pattern of high costs, low profits, and low operating rates, the tug-of-war between sellers and buyers intensified, and the short-term losses and negative industry dynamics remained difficult to alleviate.

[SMM Aluminum News Flash] This week, China's 97% fluorite powder delivery-to-factory prices remained stable, with the mainstream transaction range at 3,300-3,550 yuan/mt, and notable regional price spreads. In terms of supply, safety inspections in China's major producing areas continued to tighten, compounded by the impact of earlier safety incidents, resulting in tight market supply circulation and an overall rigid contraction pattern. Demand side, downstream hydrofluoric acid enterprises saw profit margins squeezed by high-priced sulphuric acid, and most enterprises primarily restocked on an as-needed basis, with limited willingness to chase higher prices in bulk. Overall, SMM expects the fluorite market to maintain a fluctuating trend in the short term.