Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were mainly lower this morning, Tuesday January 26, but those on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were more mixed.

Chilean lithium producer Sociedad Quimica y Minera (SQM) shareholders have approved a plan to raise $1.1 billion through the sale of common stocks, the company said on Friday January 22 as part of its expansion plan across its product range, which includes lithium and other industrial chemicals.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange and Shanghai Futures Exchange were for the most part firmer on Monday January 25, after having dipped on Friday – optimism over US President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion fiscal stimulus plan was outstripping the worrying news about the new Covid-19 cases in China.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange and Shanghai Futures Exchange were for the most part down on Friday January 22, after having been up across the board a day earlier, while markets generally seem to be taking a breather after the enthusiasm the US presidential inauguration brought.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange and Shanghai Futures Exchange were up across the board this morning, Thursday January 21, showing dips and pauses are attracting further buying, with tin and nickel leading on the upside.

There were gains across the board for the London Metal Exchange base metals this morning, Wednesday January 20, with a weaker US Dollar Index and a firm commitment on further stimulus in the United States pushing copper and aluminium up by 1.2% and 1% respectively.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange and Shanghai Futures Exchange were once again mixed this morning, Wednesday January 20, but the likelihood of plentiful US fiscal stimulus in the days ahead is likely to underpin markets at least for a while, although any new measures to tackle Covid-19 may well become a headwind.

Covid-19 appears to have claimed another casualty: the London Metal Exchange ring trading floor.

Copper was the only base metal on the London Metal Exchange to register a gain during morning trading on Tuesday January 19, while aluminium’s forward price continued to drop and tin recorded the biggest decline, with the complex still capped by a firm dollar.

After an extended consultation period, Fastmarkets has decided to amend its discount assessment for No2 copper scrap imported into China so that it is aligned with the country’s new import policy for such material.