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

Recycled copper and aluminium that meet China’s standards for renewable metals instead of solid waste can be freely imported into the country starting from November 1, according to the Chinese Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

Canada-based Lundin Mining Corp is to suspend operations at its Candelaria copper mine in Chile after mediation talks with a second union at the site failed to result in an agreement .

The London Metal Exchange three-month zinc price was the standout performer during morning trading on Monday October 19, with the price rallying by more than 2% on positive Chinese economic data and strong buying momentum, while queue and logistics concerns at Port Klang, Malaysia, resulted in some 38,000 tonnes of aluminium being placed back on-warrant in the region.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange and Shanghai Futures Exchange were mainly firmer this morning, Monday October 19, supported by economic data out of China, especially the 6.9% rise in industrial production, but gross domestic production (GDP) data came in lower than expected.

Base metals prices on the LME and the SHFE were mixed this morning, Friday October 16, but overall were holding up well despite growing concern over the spread of Covid-19 across Europe and the United States.

With a virtual LME Week starting on Monday October 19, the base metals market is starting to focus on negotiating 2021 contracts. Here, read about how the evolving nature of virtual negotiations is affecting the aluminium, copper, nickel and tin markets.

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
    • Copper grade A cathode ER premium, bonded in-whs Shanghai, $/tonne
    • Copper grade A cathode premium, in-whs Shanghai, $/tonne
    • Copper grade A cathode premium, cif Southeast Asia, $/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