Lithium fans, take note. The metal’s crown as the leading raw material in batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) is facing increasing competition from other products such as cobalt and nickel.

Good morning from Metal Bulletin’s office in Shanghai, as we bring you the latest news and pricing stories on Wednesday January 24.

Base metals prices were down across the board during Asian morning trading on Wednesday January 24, with copper leading the losses following a sharp increase in red metal stocks on the London Metal Exchange overnight.

The latest news and price moves to start the Asian day on Wednesday January 24.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange are for the most part stronger this morning, Tuesday January 23, with the complex up by an average of 0.3%.

China’s monthly refined copper output reached an all-time high of 865,000 tonnes in December 2017, according to data released by the country’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Monday January 22.

Good morning from Metal Bulletin’s office in Shanghai, as we bring you the latest news and pricing stories on Tuesday January 23.

Copper prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange gave back some of their gains from the previous session during Asian morning trading on Tuesday January 23, with concerns about increased supply weighing on prices.

A sustained deficit in the global copper market due to stagnant copper supply is helping to prop up futures prices. But global premiums remain stubbornly docile, foreshadowing a cap on copper prices in the near term.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange are for the most part stronger this morning, Monday January 22, with the complex up by an average of 0.2%.