SMM Daily: Aluminum Prices Decline Slightly with Inventory Reduction and Mixed Processing Fees

SMM, March 5:

On March 5, SMM A00 aluminum was quoted at 20,550 yuan/mt, down 50 yuan/mt, with a discount of 40 yuan/mt against the March contract, flat from the previous day. SMM A00 aluminum (Foshan) was quoted at 20,550 yuan/mt, down 40 yuan/mt, with a discount of 40 yuan/mt against the current-month contract, narrowing by 10 yuan/mt. (Unit: yuan/mt)

Regarding domestic aluminum billet inventory, aluminum billet inventory in Guangdong stood at 157,600 mt, while Wuxi's inventory was 73,000 mt, with a total decrease of 1,800 mt. SHFE aluminum continued its downward trend today, with intraday aluminum futures further consolidating downward. Processing fees remained range-bound. Although suppliers showed sentiment to stand firm on quotes, downstream bearish sentiment persisted, and the market maintained a volume discount trading rhythm. Today, aluminum billet processing fees in the Foshan market were quoted at 170–220 yuan/mt, up 20 yuan/mt; Wuxi market processing fees were quoted at 200–250 yuan/mt, flat; Nanchang market processing fees were quoted at 200–250 yuan/mt, up 20 yuan/mt. (Unit: yuan/mt)