Base metals prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were mostly range-bound during morning trading on Friday July 5 while investors awaited the key US jobs report due later for possible clues on the Federal Reserve’s policy decision at the end of the month.

A joint venture between Trafigura and a Saudi Arabian company will start building a major copper, zinc and lead smelter complex in Saudi Arabia approximately one year from now, a company source has confirmed with Fastmarkets.

Base metals prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were up across the board during Asian morning trading on Friday August 24, with the complex largely ignoring a resurgence of US-Sino trade tensions.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange mostly strengthened in morning trading on Tuesday September 26, as copper bounced back above $6,500 per tonne.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange are for the most part weaker this morning, Tuesday October 3. The exceptions are aluminium ($2,108.50 per tonne) and nickel ($10,490 per tonne) where prices are up by 0.2% and 0.3%, respectively, while the rest are down between 0.5% for zinc ($3,224.50 per tonne) and 0.1% for tin ($20,660 per tonne). Three-month copper prices are off by 0.4% at $6,465 per tonne.

Glencore is positive on the outlook for copper, zinc, nickel and cobalt amid optimism over growth in the electric vehicle (EV) market, while its net income jumped more than four-fold to $5.78 billion in 2017 on higher commodity prices.

The base metals are in a stronger mood this morning, Wednesday August 16, as markets stabilise following the recent spate of risk aversion created by rising tensions between the USA and North Korea, while a slightly softer tone in the dollar has lent modest support to the precious metals.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange dipped lower again this morning, Wednesday September 13, with copper and zinc prices coming under increased pressure from further large stock deliveries.

Base metals futures on the London Metal Exchange mostly rose during morning trading on Wednesday December 22, with the exception of tin, which experienced a mild drop.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were mostly down during morning trading on Tuesday June 26, stifled by ongoing trade tensions between the United States and China.