EUROPEAN MORNING BRIEF 25/07: SHFE base metals prices all up; Global ali, copper premiums; US ali scrap market weakens

Good morning from Metal Bulletin’s offices in Asia as we bring you the latest news and pricing stories on Wednesday July 25.

Base metals prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were up across the board during morning trading on Wednesday, supported by China’s unveiling of a package of policies aimed at boosting domestic demand.

Check Metal Bulletin’s live futures report here.

Premiums for copper cathode in China and Europe saw upward pressure in the week to Tuesday amid improved trading and a drop in the London Metal Exchange three-month copper price.

The US Midwest aluminium premium rose in the week to Tuesday, supported primarily by the LME aluminium price’s return to a contango after weeks of backwardation. Check our latest global aluminium wrap here.

The secondary aluminium scrap market in the United States has continued to deteriorate due to swelling scrap supplies outpacing demand.

More aggressive inspections of scrap at Vietnamese ports have sparked concern among US sellers to West Coast docks and US scrap traders, as material may flow to other Asian markets or even be shipped back to the US, market participants said.

What to read next
Fastmarkets has amended the minimum tonnage in its aluminium P1020A(MJP), cif Japan, spot premium assessment to 500 tonnes from 100 tonnes, effective June 25, 2026.
Fastmarkets’ Chinese magnesia price assessments were published earlier than scheduled due to a procedural error. Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated.
Fastmarkets is proposing to launch a calculated weekly aluminium 6063 extrusion billet premium, cif Rotterdam premium, on Thursday July 23.
The publication of three of Fastmarkets' fluorspar prices was delayed because of a reporter error. Fastmarkets' pricing database has been updated.
As Mexico seeks to strengthen domestic manufacturing supply chains and reduce its reliance on imported steel products, special bar quality (SBQ) steel has emerged as one of the segments offering the greatest growth potential for local producers, according to TYASA’s three chief executive officers, whom Fastmarkets sat down with in an exclusive interview to discuss the company’s new SBQ rolling mill.
The publication of Fastmarkets' rand fixing prices per tonne for London Metal Exchange trade for Tuesday June 16, 2026 was delayed due to the unavailability of the Standard Bank $/rand conversion rate. Fastmarkets’ pricing database was updated once the rate was available.