Aluminum Alloy Futures Range-Bound Game, Bull-Bear Stalemate; Spot Cargo Cost Support Fails to Change Weak Demand [ADC12 Price Daily Review]

Published: Jul 22, 2026 14:06 (GMT+8)
[ADC12 Price Daily Review: Aluminum Alloy Futures Range-Bound Tug of War, Long-Short Stalemate; Spot Cost Support Struggles to Overcome Weak Demand] Today, the aluminum alloy 2609 contract in the day session opened higher and consolidated. It opened at 23,020 yuan/mt, hit an intraday high of 23,070 yuan/mt, dipped to a low of 22,925 yuan/mt, and last traded at 23,005 yuan/mt, up 135 yuan/mt, or 0.59%, from the settlement price.

Futures side: Today, the aluminum alloy 2609 contract opened higher and consolidated during the day session. It opened at 23,020 yuan/mt in the morning session, reached a daily high of 23,070 yuan/mt, and dipped to a low of 22,925 yuan/mt during the session. It was last priced at 23,005 yuan/mt, up 135 yuan/mt or 0.59% from the settlement price. After a brief surge at the open, it encountered resistance and pulled back, with the price continuing to consolidate below the moving average. It gradually stabilized and rebounded in the afternoon session. Trading volume was 3,768 lots, and open interest edged up by 59 lots. The tug-of-war between longs and shorts was intense, with significant resistance at the top and support at the bottom. Overall, it exhibited a V-shaped consolidation pattern, with a short-term lack of clear direction. The bulls' willingness to push upward was limited, and in the near term, it is expected to continue its range-bound movement.

Spot side: Today, ADC12 market quotes remained largely stable. Cost side, driven by a slight strengthening in primary aluminum prices, aluminum scrap prices partially followed the upward trend, with cost support for secondary aluminum alloy strengthening. However, demand-side improvement remained limited, with end-user orders persistently weak and downstream purchases mainly for essential restocking, leading to average transaction performance among enterprises. Under the dual influence of cost support and weak demand, the market's wait-and-see sentiment intensified further, as most manufacturers maintained stable prices for shipments and showed little willingness to adjust prices. ADC12 prices are expected to remain range-bound in the near term, with future trends depending on changes in aluminum scrap costs and the recovery of end-user orders.

 

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.

Images in this article contain AI-translated captions for reference only.

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
Silicon‑Manganese Output Rises MoM in September: North Surges, South Mixed
6 hours ago
Silicon‑Manganese Output Rises MoM in September: North Surges, South Mixed
Read More
Silicon‑Manganese Output Rises MoM in September: North Surges, South Mixed
Silicon‑Manganese Output Rises MoM in September: North Surges, South Mixed
In September, the overall domestic supply of silicon‑manganese alloy rose compared with August, with national output moving higher month‑on‑month. Nevertheless, operating rates across producing regions did not expand in lockstep. A pattern took shape featuring output growth in northern producing areas, mixed performance in southern regions, and general moderate output contraction in minor producing zones, further highlighting regional divergence in production.
6 hours ago
[SMM Chromium Flash] A-3 Minerals Plans 8.6-Fold Expansion of Chrome Ore Beneficiation Unit in Odisha's Jajpur
6 hours ago
[SMM Chromium Flash] A-3 Minerals Plans 8.6-Fold Expansion of Chrome Ore Beneficiation Unit in Odisha's Jajpur
Read More
[SMM Chromium Flash] A-3 Minerals Plans 8.6-Fold Expansion of Chrome Ore Beneficiation Unit in Odisha's Jajpur
[SMM Chromium Flash] A-3 Minerals Plans 8.6-Fold Expansion of Chrome Ore Beneficiation Unit in Odisha's Jajpur
A-3 Minerals & Metal Exports Private Limited is planning to expand the throughput capacity of its chrome ore beneficiation unit at Bayree village in Jajpur district, Odisha, from 18,500 tonnes per annum to 160,000 tonnes per annum, according to a project filing tracked by India Projects News. The proposed expansion, estimated at approximately Rs. 5 crore, is currently at the conceptual and planning stage and is under consideration for environmental approval. Jajpur district sits within Odisha's Sukinda Valley belt, the region hosting the bulk of India's chromite reserves and the operational base for major domestic ferrochrome producers including Indian Metals & Ferro Alloys (IMFA). The filing did not disclose a project timeline, the specific beneficiation process to be used, or downstream customers for the additional processed ore, and no further detail on A-3 Minerals' existing operations or ownership structure was available in the source filing.
6 hours ago
Silicon‑manganese futures: August rally gives way to September decline; market turns cautious after high‑level pullback.
7 hours ago
Silicon‑manganese futures: August rally gives way to September decline; market turns cautious after high‑level pullback.
Read More
Silicon‑manganese futures: August rally gives way to September decline; market turns cautious after high‑level pullback.
Silicon‑manganese futures: August rally gives way to September decline; market turns cautious after high‑level pullback.
The silicon‑manganese main contract staged a rally‑then‑pullback performance across August‑September. August saw an overall oscillating uptrend, followed by a sharp pullback in September, marking a notable shift in market sentiment and position‑holding structure.
7 hours ago
Register to Continue Reading
Gain access to the latest insights in metals and new energy
Already have an account?Sign in here