Plummeting Aluminium Prices Pushed Smelters into Loss-Making Territory

SHANGHAI, Jan 9 (SMM) - The prebaked anode benchmark purchase prices fell 400 yuan/mt MoM in January. The continuous drop in coal prices reduced the power costs of smelters with captive power plants. However, considering that power plants have not run out of coal purchased earlier at higher prices, the downside room of power costs was limited. According to SMM data, the weighted average electricity price of smelters across the country dipped 0.006 yuan/kwh from a week ago to 0.46 yuan/kwh. The full costs of smelters fell 269 yuan/mt from a week ago to 17,792 yuan/mt last Friday. SMM A00 aluminium prices plunged last week and stood at 17,700 yuan/mt last Friday, reversing smelters’ profits from 618 yuan/mt into losses of 92 yuan/mt. While lower coal prices reduced the power costs of smelters with captive power plants, the power grid prices remained high. Smelters’ costs are expected to stabilise. Given the weak aluminium prices, the poor profitability should continue for some time.