SHANGHAI, May 15 (SMM) - With the die-casting zinc alloy industry gradually entering the off-season, it is expected that the operating rates will decline slightly in May.

SHANGHAI, May 15 (SMM) - SMM data showed that China’s primary aluminium billet output was 1.35 million mt in April, up 3.6% MoM and 9.7% YoY.

Real-time profits of NPI plants rose slightly last week based on the prices of nickel ore purchased 25 days earlier.

Last Friday, the average price of 8-12% high-grade NPI was 1,125 yuan/mtu (ex-factory, including tax), down 5 yuan/mtu from the previous trading day.

On the evening of May 10, the seasonally adjusted US CPI annual rate for April recorded 4.9%, lower than the forecast and previous readings of 5%.

Argentina aims to become one of the top 10 copper producer in the world by 2030, and its investor-friendly stance has attracted global players such as Glencore and Lundin Mining to its north mountains.

According to CCTV news reports, on May 4 local time, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Novak stated that Russia will reduce oil production at the federal level until the end of 2023.

SHANGHAI, May 5 (SMM) - At Thursday’s night session, the most-traded SHFE 2306 aluminium contract opened at 18,410 yuan/mt, with the highest and lowest prices at 18,410 yuan/mt and 18,250 yuan/mt before closing at 18,330 yuan/mt, down 115 yuan/mt or 0.62%.

LME copper prices closed at $8,535/mt last evening, up 0.54%. Trading volume was 19,000 lots and open interest stood at 256,000 lots. The most active SHFE 2306 copper contract finished at 66,540 yuan/mt overnight, down 0.67%. Trading volume was 51,000 lots, and open interest stood at 182,000 lots.

SHANGHAI, May 4 (SMM) – Aluminium ingots: The aluminium ingot social inventories across China’s eight major markets stood at 835,000 mt as of May 4, down 18,000 mt from a week ago and 197,000 mt from the same period last year.