[Strait of Hormuz Control Dispute Continues; Bearish Factors Dominate Short-Term Aluminum Prices] The Strait of Hormuz control dispute continues, and the resumption of navigation in the strait remains uncertain. The US Fed’s hawkish pivot boosted the US dollar index, and non-ferrous metal prices were suppressed. Under macro headwinds, aluminum prices in and outside China fell. In the short term, bearish factors dominate, and aluminum prices are expected to remain in the doldrums.
Jun 30, 2026 09:30SMM, June 29: In early trading, the SHFE aluminum 2606 contract's center traded higher than the same period in the previous trading session. Driven by the rise in aluminum prices, overall market buying sentiment declined today. Some warrant cargoes flowed out of the market, with ample overall circulating supply. Mainstream transactions were at discounts of 10-0 yuan/mt against the SHFE aluminum 07 contract. The east China selling sentiment index was 3.18 today, up 0.03 MoM; the purchasing sentiment index was 2.86, down 0.14 MoM. Today, aluminum futures saw a slight correction, with trading sentiment in central China being predominantly sluggish. Downstream processing enterprises exhibited low buying sentiment, and with traders recently releasing large volumes of low-priced warrant cargoes, market supply was abundant, leading suppliers to quote prices in a price-collapse manner for shipments, with poor willingness to hold prices firm. Ultimately, the actual transaction price range in central China centered around discounts of 20-50 yuan/mt against the SHFE aluminum 07 contract, with a weakening trend in prices. The central China selling sentiment index was 2.91 today, up 0.01 MoM; the purchasing sentiment index was 2.13, down 0.01 MoM. Inventory side, aluminum ingot inventories in major consumption regions fell 2.4 MoM today, with all three regions showing destocking trends.
Jun 30, 2026 00:06
In June the aluminum processing industry exhibited a pronounced divergence pattern of "external demand outperforming domestic demand, with the aluminum wire and cable industry unable to sustain the market on its own." Export orders, energy storage, UHV, and other areas provided structural support, but a combination of weak domestic consumption, wild swings in aluminum prices, and policy disruptions made it difficult for the overall industry sentiment to recover markedly in the short term.
Jun 29, 2026 22:36SMM, June 29: Futures edged up today, while spot aluminum in South China was in the doldrums. Inventory destocking remained steady and substantial, continuing to provide holders with the confidence to hold prices firm. In the morning, sellers continued their slow-selling pace to control prices. However, spot-futures spread expectations stayed at a relatively high level. Coupled with bearish sentiment disruptions and intensifying half-year cash realization needs, actual selling gradually shifted to larger volumes. As a result, supply loosened to a slightly surplus state, and mainstream quotations at discounts of 10 yuan/mt to par gradually dominated. Demand side, after aluminum prices stopped falling, downstream restocking demand was moderate, providing some bottom support. However, traders showed very little willingness to enter the market except for buying to meet delivery obligations; intermediate replenishment was almost completely absent, causing transactions to lose follow-through momentum. Spot transaction prices were concentrated at premiums of -30 yuan/mt to +10 yuan/mt against the SHFE aluminum 2607 contract.
Jun 29, 2026 12:04[Destocking Accelerates to Provide Support, Export Concerns Limit Rebound Room] The US Fed's hawkish pivot boosted the US dollar index, weighing on nonferrous metal prices. The Middle East geopolitical situation has been somewhat volatile but shows no signs of deterioration. Under macro headwinds, aluminum prices in and outside China fell. In the short term, bearish factors dominate, and aluminum prices are expected to remain in the doldrums.
Jun 29, 2026 09:21I. Japan Market This week, Japan MJP aluminum ingot spot premiums showed a continuous downtrend, with the average price at $384/mt on June 19 pulling back to $380/mt by June 26. Although premiums kept dipping, some traders lowered their offers proactively while others held prices firm. The demand side exhibited restocking for rigid demand, with downstream enterprises purchasing as needed. Short-term restocking activity was moderate, but there was no large-scale concentrated stockpiling, and overall purchasing volume was mild. Currently, the market trading pace is slowing down, spot lacks a trend-driven upward driver in the short term, and premiums follow the futures to stay in the doldrums. II. US Market This week, US Midwest DDP aluminum spot premiums edged up, from an average of $110.2/mt on June 19 to $110.35/mt this Friday. US market fundamentals still provided support: two major demand-side increases were being released, with aluminum semis demand for AI computing data centers surging, coupled with the concentrated commissioning of new production lines at NEV manufacturers such as Tesla, steadily boosting aluminum consumption for automotive lightweighting, keeping the digestion pace of domestic aluminum ingots high. The supply side faced constraints, with Middle East geopolitical disturbances disrupting ocean shipments of aluminum ingots, arrivals growth from outside China consistently lagging downstream demand growth, and domestic inventory continuing to destock, supporting premiums to stay high. However, the pressure logic for the outlook is gradually emerging: LME aluminum prices have already fallen to a staged low, cross-regional arbitrage windows remain open, and arrivals of aluminum ingots flowing into the US market will gradually increase. Coupled with this week’s premiums having stopped rising and weakened slightly, the tight supply-demand situation will marginally ease as external supply replenishes. It is anticipated that US spot premiums will stay high but face pressure going forward, with upside room essentially capped and a pullback adjustment possible. III. Thailand Market This week, Thailand spot premiums rose from $320/mt last Friday to $323/mt this Friday. Affected by the decline in aluminum prices, some traders raised their offers. However, the upside momentum was weak, and the trading atmosphere remained sluggish. Local downstream users only maintained a hand-to-mouth purchase pattern for rigid demand, with low willingness for large-scale stockpiling. Meanwhile, continuous arrivals of aluminum semis exports from China, with large volumes of low-priced fabricated products flowing into the Southeast Asian end-use markets, directly diverted import orders for primary aluminum ingots and significantly squeezed local aluminum demand. [Data source statement: Other than publicly available information, all data are based on public information, market communication, and SMM's internal database models, and are processed by SMM. For reference only, and do not constitute decision-making advice.] Data source: SMM
Jun 26, 2026 19:03Dear User, Greetings! To assist secondary aluminum enterprises in accurately grasping the regional supply-demand pattern within the domestic market, obtaining real-time spot aluminum scrap price information from core production areas, effectively reducing information barriers and communication costs in transaction processes, and further improving the price system and research dimensions of the secondary aluminum industry chain, SMM, after multiple rounds of market surveys and data accumulation, plans to revise the content of the original price points. The specific update arrangements are as follows for market reference. Explanation of Modifications to the Original Aluminum Scrap Price Points: The content changes for the following four price points—Shredded Aluminum Tense Scrap (Foshan), Shredded Aluminum Tense Scrap (Anhui), Shredded Aluminum Tense Scrap (Changege), and Shredded Aluminum Cast Scrap (Foshan)—only involve supplementary modifications to the names, specifications, and definitions of the previous price points and do not affect the reference and viewing of corresponding historical prices. 1. Price Point Name: Shredded Aluminum Tense Scrap (Foshan) revised to Shredded Aluminum Tense Scrap Liquid Aluminum Price (Foshan) Specification: Water yield rate 90-93% revised to Water yield rate 90-93%, Copper >1.5% Definition: Transaction price, self pick-up price at goods yard revised to Liquid aluminum price, settled based on actual metal yield, guidance price for self pick-up at goods yards in the Foshan area. 2. Price Point Name: Shredded Aluminum Tense Scrap (Anhui) revised to Shredded Aluminum Tense Scrap Liquid Aluminum Price (Anhui) Specification: Water yield rate 90-93% revised to Water yield rate 90-93%, Copper >1.5% Definition: Transaction price, self pick-up price at goods yard revised to Liquid aluminum price, settled based on actual metal yield, guidance price for self pick-up at goods yards in the Anhui area. 3. Price Point Name: Shredded Aluminum Tense Scrap (Changege) revised to Shredded Aluminum Tense Scrap Liquid Aluminum Price (Changege) Specification: Water yield rate 90-93% revised to Water yield rate 90-93%, Copper >1.5% Definition: Transaction price, self pick-up price at goods yard revised to Liquid aluminum price, settled based on actual metal yield, guidance price for self pick-up at goods yards in the Changege area. 4. Price Point Name: Shredded Aluminum Cast Scrap (Foshan) revised to Shredded Aluminum Cast Scrap Liquid Aluminum Price (Foshan) Definition: Transaction price, self pick-up price at goods yard revised to Liquid aluminum price, settled based on actual metal yield, guidance price for self pick-up at goods yards in the Foshan area. Effective Time: The modifications to the aforementioned price points will be officially released starting November 12, 2025, and updated every working day. This revision aims to more accurately reflect market price levels through more refined grade classifications and provide market participants with more targeted decision-making references. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Chen Chichang at 021-51595820. SMM Aluminum Industry Research Team November 12, 2025
PriceNov 12, 2025 17:09With the development of the scrap metal industry, companies are paying more attention to scrap aluminum varieties and price points across different geographical regions. To meet market demands and provide more comprehensive spot price information, SMM, after extensive market research and preliminary communication, have launched the following price points for local scrap metal prices in Malaysia and Thailand on November 3, 2025: Malaysian Aluminium Scrap – Talon (Aluminium Wire and Cable) Malaysian Aluminium Scrap – UBC (Used Beverage Cans) Thai Aluminium Scrap – Talon (Aluminium Wire and Cable) Thai Aluminium Scrap – UBC (Used Beverage Cans) Introduction to the new SMM Malaysian scrap aluminum price points: SMM, taking into account the local and international demand for overseas aluminium scrap prices primarily in Southeast Asia, and based on overseas policies and market changes, has decided to launch several price points in reflection of the Southeast Asian aluminium scrap markets and trade. The specific details are as follows: Price Point 1: Addition of Malaysian Aluminium Scrap – Talon (Aluminium Wire and Cable) Name and Definition : Malaysian Aluminium Scrap – Talon (Aluminium Wire and Cable), ExWorks Malaysia, including VAT, MYR/tonne Launch Date : November 3, 2025 (Launched) Updated Frequency : The new price point will be updated before 12:00 PM on the first working day of each week (Kuala Lumpur time) Price Point 2: Addition of Malaysian Aluminium Scrap – UBC (Used Beverage Cans) Name and Definition : Malaysian Aluminium Scrap – UBC (Used Beverage Cans), ExWorks Malaysia, including VAT, MYR/tonne Launch Date : November 3, 2025 (Launched) Updated Frequency : The new price point will be updated before 12:00 PM on the first working day of each week (Kuala Lumpur time) Price Point 3: Addition of Thai Aluminium Scrap – Talon (Aluminium Wire and Cable) Name and Definition : Thai Aluminium Scrap – Talon (Aluminium Wire and Cable), ExWorks Thailand, including VAT, THB/tonne Launch Date : November 3, 2025 (Launced) Updated Frequency : The new price point will be updated before 12:00 PM on the first working day of each week (Kuala Lumpur time) Price Point 4: Addition of Thai Aluminium Scrap – UBC (Used Beverage Cans) Name and Definition : Thai Aluminium Scrap – UBC (Used Beverage Cans), ExWorks Thailand, including VAT, THB/tonne Launch Date : November 3, 2025 (Launched) Updated Frequency : The new price point will be updated before 12:00 PM on the first working day of each week (Kuala Lumpur time) We welcome more companies from both upstream and downstream industries to participate and support SMM in better serving the new energy industry chain. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Liu Xiaolei at (+86)15021973263 or Chin Khai Yuen at (+60)124247012, or email adrian.chin@metal.com.
PriceNov 3, 2025 17:51With the development of the scrap metal industry, companies are paying more attention to scrap aluminum varieties and price points across different geographical regions. To meet market demands and provide more comprehensive spot price information, SMM, after extensive market research and preliminary communication, plans to launch the following price points for local scrap metal prices in Malaysia and Thailand on November 3, 2025: Malaysian Aluminium Scrap – Talon (Aluminium Wire and Cable) Malaysian Aluminium Scrap – UBC (Used Beverage Cans) Thai Aluminium Scrap – Talon (Aluminium Wire and Cable) Thai Aluminium Scrap – UBC (Used Beverage Cans) Introduction to the new SMM Malaysian scrap aluminum price points: SMM, taking into account the local and international demand for overseas aluminium scrap prices primarily in Southeast Asia, and based on overseas policies and market changes, has decided to launch several price points in reflection of the Southeast Asian aluminium scrap markets and trade. The specific details are as follows: Price Point 1: Addition of Malaysian Aluminium Scrap – Talon (Aluminium Wire and Cable) Name and Definition : Malaysian Aluminium Scrap – Talon (Aluminium Wire and Cable), ExWorks Malaysia, including VAT, MYR/tonne Launch Date : November 3, 2025 Updated Frequency : The new price point will be updated before 12:00 PM on the first working day of each week (Kuala Lumpur time) Price Point 2: Addition of Malaysian Aluminium Scrap – UBC (Used Beverage Cans) Name and Definition : Malaysian Aluminium Scrap – UBC (Used Beverage Cans), ExWorks Malaysia, including VAT, MYR/tonne Launch Date : November 3, 2025 Updated Frequency : The new price point will be updated before 12:00 PM on the first working day of each week (Kuala Lumpur time) Price Point 3: Addition of Thai Aluminium Scrap – Talon (Aluminium Wire and Cable) Name and Definition : Thai Aluminium Scrap – Talon (Aluminium Wire and Cable), ExWorks Thailand, including VAT, THB/tonne Launch Date : November 3, 2025 Updated Frequency : The new price point will be updated before 12:00 PM on the first working day of each week (Kuala Lumpur time) Price Point 4: Addition of Thai Aluminium Scrap – UBC (Used Beverage Cans) Name and Definition : Thai Aluminium Scrap – UBC (Used Beverage Cans), ExWorks Thailand, including VAT, THB/tonne Launch Date : November 3, 2025 Updated Frequency : The new price point will be updated before 12:00 PM on the first working day of each week (Kuala Lumpur time) We welcome more companies from both upstream and downstream industries to participate and support SMM in better serving the new energy industry chain. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Liu Xiaolei at (+86)15021973263 or Chin Khai Yuen at (+60)124247012, or email adrian.chin@metal.com.
PriceOct 27, 2025 17:51