[SMM Midday Review of Spot Aluminum: Futures Market Rises Sharply, Downstream Actual Demand Weakens] Inventory side, according to SMM's domestic aluminum ingot inventory data from three locations, domestic aluminum ingot inventory stood at 325,500 mt on June 18, with a destocking of 0.6 mt compared to the previous trading day. In the short term, the low arrival of aluminum ingots and the reduction in inventory are conducive to high spot premiums in the spot market. However, there is a strong fear of high prices in the spot market, with weak purchase willingness from downstream players. Transactions are being made at discounts, and it is expected that spot premiums will show a narrowing trend in the short term.

According to SMM statistics, regarding the inventory of aluminum billets in two domestic locations, the inventory of aluminum billet in Guangdong was 56,800 mt, while the inventory in Wuxi was 19,800 mt, totaling 76,600 mt, a decrease of 1,400 mt MoM. SHFE aluminum prices surged consecutively, with A00 spot aluminum prices in east China gradually approaching the 21,000 yuan/mt threshold. In recent times, the aluminum billet market has seen sluggish transaction performance due to the suppression of high aluminum prices, and the de-stocking of aluminum billets has also shown a significant slowdown. Downstream sentiment is strongly influenced by fear of high prices, and market quotations are severely polarized. The overall center of processing fees for aluminum billets in three domestic locations has shifted significantly downward, with double-digit processing fee quotations appearing in Wuxi and Foshan, and even zero or negative processing fees in Nanchang, resulting in dismal transaction performance. As of June 18, 2025, the aluminum billet market in Foshan reported 50/100, down 100; the processing fees for aluminum billets in Wuxi were reported at 50/130, down 110; and the processing fees in Nanchang were reported at -50/0, down 80. (Unit: yuan/mt)

At the 2025 SMM (2nd) Global Renewable Metal Industry Chain Forum - Secondary Copper and Aluminum Forum, hosted by SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd., Zhang Xiaoyao, the project leader of SMM Recycling, shared insights on the topic of "Driving Business Opportunities and Reducing Operating Costs: SMM Serving the Global Secondary Copper and Aluminum Metals Market."

On June 3 local time, the White House issued a statement announcing that US President Trump would raise tariffs on imported steel, aluminum, and their derivative products from 25% to 50%, effective at 00:01 Eastern Time on June 4, 2025.

[SMM Morning Comment on Cast Aluminum Alloy: The Most-Traded Cast Aluminum Contract Hits New High Since Listing, Short-Term Cost Support Remains Solid] On Tuesday, the SMM A00 aluminum price fell slightly by 10 yuan/mt from the previous trading day to 20,620 yuan/mt, while the domestic SMM ADC12 price continued to hold steady in the range of 19,900-20,200 yuan/mt.

[SMM Aluminum Morning Meeting Summary: Softening US Economy Coupled with Tense Middle East Situation, Domestic Low Inventory Supports Aluminum Prices to Hold Up Well] Macro side, the softening US economic data and tense geopolitical situation in the Middle East have made the market nervous. US retail sales in May were weaker than expected, but consumer spending remained supported by robust wage growth. Fundamentals side, the operating capacity of domestic primary aluminum remained stable, and the reduction in casting ingot volume has kept domestic aluminum ingot inventory in a state of destocking. Cost side, there are expectations of weaker prices for alumina and auxiliary materials, weakening the cost support for primary aluminum. Demand side, it faces dual pressures from domestic seasonal weakness and trade uncertainties, and the operating rate of aluminum processing enterprises will be under pressure in the short term. Overall, the current low inventory and expectations of a higher proportion of liquid aluminum provide strong support for aluminum prices, but the off-season pressure on the demand side limits the upside room. Spot aluminum ingot in major consumption areas may soon face a situation of weak supply and demand, and aluminum prices may hold up well in the short term.

At the 2025 SMM (2nd) Global Renewable Metal Industry Chain Summit - Main Forum hosted by SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd., Jane Xie, the Director of Sustainable Development Business at Shanghai Greenment Environmental Information Technology Co., Ltd., delivered a speech on the topic of "How ESG is Forging the Future of Metals."