Base metals prices, with the exception of zinc, on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were all up during Asian morning trading on Friday June 1.

Base metals on the London Metal Exchange closed mostly higher on Thursday May 31, ending the month broadly supported with most metals trading in positive territory.

China’s manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for May surprised to the upside at 51.9, having been expected to remain at April’s level of 51.4, though the positivity surrounding this release has yet to filter through to base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange.

Good morning from Metal Bulletin’s offices in Asia as we bring you the latest news and pricing stories on Thursday May 31.

Base metal prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were all up during Asian morning trading on Thursday May 31, finding support from the release of positive Chinese data and a weaker dollar.

The latest news and price moves to start the Asian day on Thursday May 31.

China is likely to take an economic hit from its crackdown on scrap imports, prompting it to adopt a more pragmatic approach in the future, panelists of the Bureau of International Recycling’s (BIR) International Trade Council said at the association's Barcelona conference.

Three-month base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were down across the board by an average of 0.4%, with copper prices off by 0.9% at $6,768 per tonne.

Copper prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange fell during Asian morning trading on Wednesday May 30, reversing the gains seen on Tuesday, with the red metal’s prices coming under pressure from a strengthening dollar.

The latest news and price moves to start the Asian day on Wednesday May 30.