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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Using implied volatility to evaluate price targets

The negotiation season for long-term contracts is well under way in many of the base metal markets, and participants globally have noted that the price volatility seen so far in 2022 and the soaring energy costs in Europe have weighed on consumer sentiment

The energy crisis roiling Europe as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is expected to last longer than the coming winter, although efforts to secure alternative supplies are expected to eventually prove fruitful

Aluminium premium offers reported to Fastmarkets in the United States rose in some instances and fell in others in a contradictory, initial reaction to news of a possible US ban on aluminium imports from Russia that broke last week

Premiums for copper cathode imported into China surged during the week to Friday October 14, following the country’s National Day holidays, reaching its highest recorded level since Fastmarkets started tracking the market in 2015

Primary foundry alloy (PFA) premiums in the US and European aluminium markets moved down in the month to Friday, October 14, amid weak spot purchasing and despite the US considering a ban on Russian aluminium

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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 concentrate TC spot, delivered South China, yuan/tonne
    • Aluminium scrap commercial turnings, delivered consumer UK, £/tonne
    • Aluminium scrap LM24 pressure diecasting ingot, delivered consumer UK, £/tonne

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