EUROPEAN MORNING BRIEF 07/02: SHFE base metals broadly higher; soaring US aluminium premium pressures global markets; US copper premium holds at highs

Good morning from Metal Bulletin’s offices in Shanghai as we bring you the latest news and pricing stories on Wednesday February 7.

Most base metals traded on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were in positive territory during Asian morning trading on Wednesday, with only lead prices weakening.

Nickel led the gains with a 1.6% rise amid a healthy demand picture and a recovery in the US stock markets, which helped ease the risk-off tone which had pervaded the market earlier this week.

Check Metal Bulletin’s live futures report here.

LME snapshot at 02.20 am London time
Latest three-month LME Prices
  Price ($ per tonne)  Change since yesterday’s close ($)
Copper 7,157 81
Aluminium 2,204 34
Lead 2,609.50 -11.5
Zinc 3,504.50 47.5
Tin 21,860 135
Nickel 13,690 305

SHFE snapshot at 10.21 am Shanghai time
Most-traded SHFE contracts
  Price (yuan per tonne)  Change since yesterday’s close (yuan)
Copper  53,110 360
Aluminium 14,265 125
Zinc 26,650 95
Lead 19,300 -165
Tin  151,700 1,700
Nickel  102,880 1,620

The squeeze in truck availability in the United States has pushed the Midwest aluminium premium higher for a fifth consecutive week, in turn exerting upward pressure on premiums across the globe.

Copper premiums in the US held steady this week after previously rising for the first time since November due to freight costs, and market participants are only expecting those inputs to rise throughout the next few months and potentially push premiums higher.

Some mill-grade aluminium scrap prices in the US inched lower with declines on the London Metal Exchange and limited spot demand, while smelter-grade prices maintained a steady footing.

Metal Bulletin has reviewed the feedback received as part of its consultation on amendments to its international cobalt price specifications, launched on November 27, 2017.

The US Commerce Department has extended its deadline for announcing final results of an administrative review of anti-dumping duties on oil country tubular goods from South Korea.

Ferrous scrap export prices from the US diverged in the latest bulk sales, with two deals to Turkey concluded at lower values while another cargo was sold to India at improved prices.

What to read next
Following an initial consultation with the market, Fastmarkets is proposing to:  The new specifications would be as follows, with amendments in italics: MB-CU-0002 Copper grade 1 cathode premium, ddp Midwest US, US cents/lb Quality: Grade A 99.9935% min copper cathode conforming to LME specifications BS EN 1978:2022 – Cu-CATH-1 or Grade 1 Electrolytic Copper Cathode ATSM B1115-10 Quantity: Min […]
Fastmarkets’ 2025 outlook for key raw materials and ingredients used in the production and distribution of fast-moving consumer goods.
Vale Base Metals plans to boost annual copper production to 700,000 tonnes by 2035, aiming to become a top-five global producer of nickel and copper. CEO Shaun Usmar highlights a focus on productivity, cost optimization and sustainable growth. With strong assets in Canada and Brazil, Vale is well-positioned to meet rising global demand.
Fastmarkets has corrected its fob Australia alumina index, which was published incorrectly on Monday June 2 and Tuesday June 3 due to a back-end calculation error. Fastmarkets has also corrected all the related inferred indices. On June 2 the following prices were published incorrectly: Fastmarkets’ MB-ALU-0002 Alumina index, fob Australia, was published in error as $375.59 per […]
Mexico’s strategic role in automotive nearshoring is fueling demand for recycled aluminium, with investment in scrap-intensive sectors boosting its non-ferrous secondary markets. Despite tariff uncertainties, USMCA compliance and EV production growth continue to attract global manufacturers.
Goldcorp founder Rob McEwen is back in the spotlight with a bold bet on copper in Argentina. The $2.5 billion Los Azules project, set to become Argentina’s first major copper mine in over 30 years, is reshaping the country’s mining industry while raising sustainability standards. Positioned as a key player in addressing a global copper shortage, the project highlights innovation, persistence and a commitment to meeting the growing demand from global electrification.