What was going on in metal markets as May ended? MB editor Alex Harrison looks back at the week

The US Midwest aluminium premium has risen again this week, jumping by nearly 5% on a combination of issues including transportation concerns and potential trade policy changes.

Metal Bulletin reviews the major stories that have affected the steel market over the past week.

Most base metals prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange saw a slightly negative bias during Asian morning trading on Tuesday January 29 as market participants awaited the outcome of the US-China trade talks on January 30-31, although tin bucked the trend amid ongoing supply concerns.

Metal Bulletin deputy editor Fleur Ritzema picks out some of the week's top stories and price moves in metals.

Record high premiums are the main topic at the Metal Bulletin 27th Aluminium conference in Moscow this week, but nobody is moaning too loudly, because there are no real losers.

Physical iron ore prices continued to rise on Tuesday April 2, closing in on $90 per tonne with yet more seaborne supply disruptions reported.

Base metals prices were higher across the board this morning, Friday October 13, while copper climbed back above $6,900 per tonne due to support from stronger fundamentals.

An escalation in geopolitical tensions over the weekend dampened sentiment during Asian morning trading on Monday April 16 with the base metals traded on the Shanghai Futures Exchange broadly down.

Physical iron ore prices improved on Tuesday March 12 following advances in China’s futures and steel markets, as well as further uncertainty over Vale’s supplies from Brazil.