Nickel was the outperformer on the Shanghai Futures Exchange during Asian morning trading on Thursday June 21, with robust demand and declining inventory levels outweighing the trade concerns which have been pressuring the rest of the complex recently.

Base metals traded on the London Metal Exchange are mainly firmer this morning, Wednesday September 27, with gains averaging 0.6%. Volume has been average with 6,713 lots traded as of 06:48 BST.

Three-month base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were for the most part weaker on the morning of Thursday June 21, with the complex down by an average of 0.2%. Nickel, up by 0.3% at $15,000 per tonne, was the exception. Copper was off by 0.3% at $6,797 per tonne.

Further threats of US tariffs against China has spooked the markets and three-month base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were down across the board on the morning of Tuesday June 19, with the complex down by an average of 0.5%.

Three-month base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange consolidated on the morning of Friday June 8 amid concerns that the latest trade figures from China could stoke further trade tensions.

Base metals prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were up across the board during Asian morning trading on Wednesday January 9, with the complex finding support from optimism stemming from positive trade headlines.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange are for the most part firmer this morning, Wednesday January 31, the exceptions being aluminium (-0.3%) and lead that is little changed, while the rest of the complex is up by an average of 0.6% - ranged between tin (0.4%) and nickel (0.7%), with copper prices up by 0.5% at $7,117 per tonne.

Three-month base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were up across the board with gains averaging 0.4% on the morning of Friday September 28. But this follows a general down day on Thursday, when the complex closed down by an average of 1%.

The world of metals trading has been transformed over the past 30 years. Long, lazy lunches and quiet afternoons have given way to 24-hour trading and aggressive market-making. But, Lord Copper asks, did the market change us, or did we change the market?

Base metals prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were mostly up during Asian morning trading on Thursday January 31, supported by easing trade tensions and a softer dollar.