Weekly Aluminium Billet Market Review and Forecast  

SHANGHAI, May 15 (SMM) - South China: The conversion margins of φ90 and φ120 billets fluctuated around 430 yuan/mt and 330 yuan/mt in the first four days of the week, and market transactions were relatively sluggish. However, on Friday, sharply falling aluminium prices allowed the conversion margins of φ90 and φ120 billets to rise 190 yuan/mt to 630 yuan/mt and 540 yuan/mt, and downstream producers bought on the dip.

East China: φ120 billets were in short supply, allowing its conversion margins to be 100 yuan/mt higher than others. Transactions were muted in the first four days of the week, but improved slightly on Friday after aluminium prices plunged. The weekly average conversion margins of φ90 and φ120 billets climbed 56 yuan/mt and 132 yuan/mt to 566 yuan/mt and 532 yuan/mt respectively.

Nanchang: The conversion margins of φ90 and φ120 billets rose to 570 yuan/mt and 650 yuan/mt on Friday, with the weekly average up 35 yuan/mt and 62 yuan/mt to 510 yuan/mt and 452 yuan/mt respectively.

Linyi: The weekly average conversion margin slipped 10 yuan/mt to 370 yuan/mt amid stable demand.

With aluminium extrusion industry entering the off-season, aluminium billet inventory will build up and the conversion margins will drop.