[SMM News] Buying Sentiment for Aluminum Ingots in Central China Market Recovered on May 18

Published: May 18, 2026 16:49

SMM May 18:

Aluminum futures prices continued to pull back today. Buying sentiment in the central China market recovered somewhat, with downstream processing enterprises showing stronger purchase willingness. However, some suppliers adopted a wait-and-see attitude, and shipment sentiment weakened. The mainstream transaction price range in the central China market ultimately centered around a premium of 10 yuan to a premium of 30 yuan over the central China price, with a trend of continued strengthening. The shipment sentiment index for the central China market was 2.82 today, down 0.01 MoM; the purchasing sentiment index was 2.29, up 0.03 MoM.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM's internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or for more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn
For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn
Related News
ADC12 Market Stable, Prices Expected to Consolidate Amid Weak Demand and Cost Support
2 hours ago
ADC12 Market Stable, Prices Expected to Consolidate Amid Weak Demand and Cost Support
Read More
ADC12 Market Stable, Prices Expected to Consolidate Amid Weak Demand and Cost Support
ADC12 Market Stable, Prices Expected to Consolidate Amid Weak Demand and Cost Support
[SMM Aluminum Daily Review] Today, ADC12 market quotations were generally stable. The SMM ADC12 price was unchanged from the previous trading day at 23,900 yuan/mt. Currently, end-use demand did not show significant improvement, and price increases still lacked sufficient transaction support. Meanwhile, the cost side still provided some support, limiting the room for further price declines. The market was in a state of difficulty moving up or down, with a strong wait-and-see sentiment. In the short term, ADC12 prices were expected to maintain a narrow sideways consolidation pattern. Going forward, the focus will be on changes in the cost side and improvement in end-use demand.
2 hours ago
Aluminum Alloy Most-Traded Contract Retreats After Rapid Rise, Spot Market Mainly Stabilizes Prices [ADC12 Price Daily]
3 hours ago
Aluminum Alloy Most-Traded Contract Retreats After Rapid Rise, Spot Market Mainly Stabilizes Prices [ADC12 Price Daily]
Read More
Aluminum Alloy Most-Traded Contract Retreats After Rapid Rise, Spot Market Mainly Stabilizes Prices [ADC12 Price Daily]
Aluminum Alloy Most-Traded Contract Retreats After Rapid Rise, Spot Market Mainly Stabilizes Prices [ADC12 Price Daily]
[ADC12 Price Daily Review: Aluminum Alloy Most-Traded Contract Retreats After Rapid Rise, Spot Market Remains Stable] Today, the aluminum alloy 2610 contract opened at 23,195 yuan/mt, briefly shot up to 23,200 yuan/mt in early trading, but then the bulls failed to sustain the rally, and prices consolidated and pulled back gradually, eventually closing at 23,050 yuan/mt at noon, down 0.63%.
3 hours ago
[SMM Analysis] July Aluminum Extrusion Exports Down 2.4% MoM, Long-Term Contracts Support Amid Spot Order Weakness
3 hours ago
[SMM Analysis] July Aluminum Extrusion Exports Down 2.4% MoM, Long-Term Contracts Support Amid Spot Order Weakness
Read More
[SMM Analysis] July Aluminum Extrusion Exports Down 2.4% MoM, Long-Term Contracts Support Amid Spot Order Weakness
[SMM Analysis] July Aluminum Extrusion Exports Down 2.4% MoM, Long-Term Contracts Support Amid Spot Order Weakness
Customs data showed that in July 2026, China’s aluminum extrusion exports (HS codes 76041010, 76041090, 76042100, 76042910, 76042990) totaled 89,800 mt, down 2.4% MoM and up 6.6% YoY. In January-July 2026, China’s aluminum extrusion exports amounted to 537,100 mt, up 8.6% YoY cumulatively.
3 hours ago