First impressions are that we are off to a bullish start to the week, with the base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange up by an average of 0.6% this morning, Monday February 26.

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.

Three-month base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were little changed to weaker on the morning of Tuesday May 22, with prices down by an average of 0.3%.

Three-month base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were for the most part firmer this morning, Tuesday September 18. This despite US President Donald Trump imposing 10% tariffs on a further $200 billion of Chinese exports – the market no doubt relieved it was not 25%.

Base metals on the London Metal Exchange are recovering again this morning, Tuesday February 13, with prices up by an average of 0.7%. Copper ($6,924 per tonne) and nickel lead the way with gains of 0.9%, while lead is the laggard with a 0.3% increase.

Most of the base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange have stopped sliding this morning, Tuesday April 11, at least for now. On average the complex is up 0.1%, with copper, aluminium, nickel and lead prices up between 0.3% and 0.5%, while zinc prices are off 0.4% and tin prices are down 0.2%.

Editor Vera Blei looks at the main news covered by Steel First over the past week.

Three-month base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were down across the board by an average of 1% on the morning of Thursday July 19. Losses were ranged between a 0.1% drop for aluminium and a 2% fall for zinc. The three-month copper price was down by 0.8% at $6,129 per tonne.

Global steel billet prices continued to rise in most markets in the week to Friday December 15 as customers continued to show interest in importing material.

The base metals are slightly weaker this morning, Friday March 24, with London Metal Exchange prices down an average of 0.3% as of 06:20 GMT.