Fears of a trade war between the United States and China coupled with weaker pre-holiday demand led to prices for billet in Southeast Asia weakening over the past week, though those for slab appear to have been insulated from these factors as a result of thin trading.

Three-month base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were broadly weaker on the morning of Monday July 30, with zinc (-0.9%), copper (-0.7%), lead (-0.2%) and nickel (-0.1%) all down, while aluminium and tin prices were up by 0.4% and 0.3% respectively.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange are off to a slower start this week with three-month prices up an average of just 0.1%. Copper prices are off 0.4% at $5,937 per tonne, aluminium prices are off 0.1%, while the rest are up between 0.2% and 0.4%. Volume has been average at 5,241 lots as of 06:46 BST.

The underlying theme remains unchanged with the base metals prices continuing to oscillate within sideways trends, although some prices, such as tin and zinc, are starting to edge higher.

The three-month base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were up across the board by an average of 0.5% this morning, Tuesday March 12.

Base metals traded on the London Metal Exchange are for the most part consolidating this morning, Tuesday August 22, after a generally strong performance on Monday when the complex closed up by an average of 1%.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange are consolidating this morning, Wednesday April 11, following a strong recovery in the previous session.

Despite further poor economic data at the end of last week, the three-month base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were for the most part higher this morning, Monday March 11.

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

Base metals on the London Metal Exchange were firmer this morning, Friday January 11, with three-month prices up by an average of 0.9%.