SHANGHAI, Jun 5 (SMM) – Although many places were affected by high temperature or rain last week, the apparent demand for building materials increased significantly.

SHANGHAI, Jun 5 (SMM) –Fundamentals: According to SMM’s preliminary estimate, the domestic operating aluminium capacity rose to 40.92 million mt at the end of May.

SHANGHAI, Jun 5 (SMM) –Data released by the National Bureau of Statistics showed China’s manufacturing PMI was 48.8% in May, which was in the contraction territory for three consecutive months, denting market confidence.

SHANGHAI, Jun 5 (SMM) – Some coking plants raised production after their inventories declined, driving up the average capacity utilisation rate up from 77% to 77.5% last week.

The recovery in global trade over the past two years is slowing sharply, Fitch Ratings said on Thursday.

SHANGHAI, Jun 5 (SMM) – LME zinc opened at $2,281.5/mt last Friday, and hit a high of $2,341.5/mt before closing at $2,301.5/mt, up $24.5/mt or 1.08%.

SHANGHAI, Jun 5 (SMM) – LME lead opened at $2,100.5/mt last Friday, and rebounded above $2,030/mt as the US dollar softened amid expectations that the US would pause interest rate hike.

SHANGHAI, Jun 5 (SMM) – LME and SHFE base metals closed mostly with an uptick overnight.