Base metals prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were mostly down during the morning trading session on Friday March 15, with the complex reacting to news that China will cut its value-added tax (VAT) rate for manufacturing and other sectors on April 1.

Base metals prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were broadly down during Asian morning trading on Monday January 14, with weakness in US equity markets last Friday denting investors’ risk appetite.

The latest news and price moves to start the Asian day on Tuesday April 24.

Base metals prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange exhibited broad-based strength for a second day in a row during morning trading on Thursday May 16, with nickel once again leading the charge higher – though gains were more tempered in the alloying metal compared with Wednesday.

The flip-flip nature of headlines surrounding trade talks between China and the United States is calling the tune in the markets; there was initial weakness on news that a signing of a partial trade deal would be delayed, but markets then turned higher after it was announced that progress had been made with both sides agreeing to remove some tariffs.

Base metal prices, barring those for aluminium, on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were up across the board during Asian morning trading on Wednesday December 12, with the complex continuing to find support from positive trade headlines.

Base metals prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were largely up during Asian morning trading on Tuesday December 11, with positive trade headlines sparking a bout of short covering across the complex.

Three-month base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were broadly down during Asian morning trading on Monday June 18, with a stronger dollar weighing on the complex.

While the metal markets have hardly been bullish, United States President Donald Trump undermined confidence across broad markets when he re-imposed tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from Argentina and Brazil and threatened France with tariffs too.

The three-month lead price on the London Metal Exchange was slightly firmer this morning, Friday November 23, while the rest of the complex was down by an average of 0.6%. Zinc led the decline with a 1.2% fall, while copper was off by 0.8% at $6,217 per tonne.