Base metals

News, prices and analysis for aluminium, copper, nickel and other base metals

Base metals like copper, aluminium, nickel and alumina are some of the world’s most frequently traded commodities. With so many forces bearing down on the base metals market, win-win outcomes for negotiations depend on the depth and breadth of your understanding of the market.

Our global coverage, prices and forecasts give you the critical insights to understand what’s driving volatility and help you minimize risk and predict future trends. Our team of market experts provides more than 150 base metals prices from across the globe to empower you with the most current market-reflective prices, historical trends and future outlooks. And, as the drive to lower carbon emissions intensifies, Fastmarkets is leading the way with low-carbon aluminium pricing launched in 2021.

Keep up with key commodities in the base metals market:

Ask about our products today

Inform your base metals strategy with metals price forecasts and analysis for the global base metals industry

What’s happening in the base metals market?

Get the latest base metals news and market analysis

After strong gains on the London Metal Exchange on Tuesday January 12, when prices closed up with gains averaging 1.8%, prices were for the most part little changed this morning, with nickel the main mover.

After further weakness in the base metals on Monday January 11, that saw the complex close down by an average of 1.5%, prices were up across the board on the London Metal Exchange this morning but those on the Shanghai Futures Exchange base metals prices were down across the board while they followed yesterday’s performance on the LME.

Waiting times for aluminium at Istim warehouses in Port Klang, Malaysia, fell to just 20 days at the end of December, according to the London Metal Exchange’s latest queue report.

Base metals prices were for the most part weaker during morning trading on Monday January 11, while the dollar was firmer in line with strong US treasury yields.

Base metals prices were pausing and precious metals were mainly on a back footing this morning, Friday January 8, with sentiment generally bullish on the prospects for greater fiscal spending out of the United States when Joe Biden becomes the president in a few weeks’ time.

Markets remained upbeat on the morning of Thursday January 7 despite the outbreak of violence in Washington, DC, with nickel joining copper and tin in setting fresh new multi-month highs but gold turning lower.

More base metals insights and price charts
Keep up with developments in the base metals market with our dedicated insights and price pages for these key commodities
Meet the base metals team
How can we help you?

Providing reliable price discovery and benchmarks since 1865 with our global team of over 200 price reporters

Get the latest developments from reporters embedded in the base metals markets

With an over 90% accuracy rating, our forecasting helps you understand what’s next for the base metals market

Metals markets move fast. Keep up and predict future trends with the Fastmarkets platform

Grow and protect your profits and insulate your business from volatility with the Fastmarkets risk management team

Fastmarkets’ metals consulting is your partner in creating value and managing risk

Our price coverage for the base metals market
Base metals prices are the foundation for important decisions within your organization. We provide more than 150 base metal prices, including industry benchmarks from across the globe. Our price coverage can help your organization to evaluate risk, optimize your purchasing strategy, negotiate in both physical and financial contracts and make the right decision every time.
Find a base metals price
    • Aluminum alloy 356.1, delivered Midwest, cents/lb
    • Aluminium scrap loose old rolled cuttings, LME discount, delivered consumer UK, £/tonne
    • Aluminium scrap commercial cast, LME discount, delivered consumer UK, £/tonne

    Find out how we assess and forecast prices for the global metals market

    Fastmarkets combines the commodity intelligence of these familiar names:

    Metal Bulletin • American Metal Market • Scrap Price Bulletin • Industrial Minerals • RISI • FOEX • The Jacobsen • Agricensus • Palm Oil Analytics • Random Lengths • Hardwood Market Report
    • FastMarkets and more

    Talk to us

    Whether you’re interested in learning how to become a customer from our sales teams or looking to get in touch with one of our reporters, we’re here for you.

    Speak to our team

    Why use a price reporting agency?

    Navigate uncertainty and make business decisions with confidence using our price data, forecasts and critical intelligence.

    Learn more