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.

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The Chinese battery-related nickel market has continued to show strength, with domestic prices rising and demand appearing strong for intermediate feedstock products such as nickel mixed-hydroxide-precipitate (MHP). But the international sulfate market has continued to show weakness on a spot basis with little buying interest reported.

Trade body European Aluminium and the European steel association, Eurofer, have teamed up with other sectors facing a proposed carbon levy on imports, to call for a gradual implementation of the new regulations supporting the EU’s transition to climate neutrality by 2030

Base metal futures on the London Metal Exchange bar aluminium were down on Monday, October 31, the first full day of trading following LME Week

Imports of Russian steel into the United States have dropped precipitously this year, negating the need for a formal ban similar to the one reportedly being considered for aluminium

The Chinese government plans to lower the import thresholds for impurities contained in metals concentrates, indicating that the old standards are no longer practical, sources have told Fastmarkets

The benchmark US Midwest aluminium premium was steady on Friday, October 28 for the first time since the beginning of September, prompting some sources to say the premium has reached a bottom

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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.
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    • Zinc SHG min 99.995% ingot premium, cif Southeast Asia, $/tonne
    • Zinc SHG min 99.995% ingot premium, fca dp Italy, $/tonne
    • Zinc spot concentrate TC, cif China, $/per tonne

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