London Metal Exchange base metals prices have generally been weak in recent days but some dip-buying seems to be emerging, which for now is providing support. But, with much of Asia in, or heading for, Golden Week and Labor Day holidays, liquidity is likely to shrink either leading to more volatility, or quiet trading in the days ahead.

Volatility has picked up in the base metals trading on the London Metals Exchange in recent days, with prices down an average of 0.4% this morning, Thursday March 23. This is after prices rebounded on Wednesday afternoon following a bout of weakness that started on Monday.

The upward trend in steel billet market prices resumed last week in most global markets, despite signs of a slowdown in the Chinese steel market, sources told Metal Bulletin.

Manganese ore prices continued to firm on Friday September 15 as sentiment was boosted by a gradual drawdown in stocks in China and anticipation of further strengthening in the steel sector.

Generally London Metal Exchange prices have been weak in recent days and the strong dollar has been a factor in that, but dip-buying appears to be providing support in morning trading on Friday April 26.

Three-month base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were firmer across the board this morning, Wednesday January 16, with prices up by an average of 0.8%. This after further temporary stimulus measures from China gave sentiment a boost.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange are generally higher this morning, Friday January 12, with prices fairly uniformly up between 0.5% and 0.6% - apart from tin prices that are down 0.1% at $20,159 per tonne. Three-month copper prices are up by 0.5% at $7,167 per tonne and zinc prices have been as high as $3,405 per tonne, which is a fresh multi-year high.

Trading across most of the base metals is leading to price weakness – this despite record-setting levels seen in the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite on Tuesday. The exception is aluminium, where prices have been edging higher in recent days.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange are for the most part weaker this morning, Tuesday December 5, with lead the only metal showing any strength - its prices are up by 0.2%. The rest are down by an average of 0.7%, led by a 1.8% fall in nickel prices. Three-month copper prices are down by 0.9% at $6,743 per tonne.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange are down across the board by an average of 0.9% this morning, Tuesday November 28. Nickel leads the decline with a 1.7% drop to $11,390 per tonne, while zinc prices are off by 1.2% at $3,147 per tonne and copper prices are down by 0.9% at $6,864 per tonne.