Base Metals Roundup: Japan Copper Cash Price Drops, Aluminum Drops Too

Current Copper Prices

The cash price of Japanese copper saw a 1.8 percent drop on Thursday, May 16, making it the biggest mover of the day. The price of US copper producer grade 110 fell 0.8 percent. The price of US copper producer grade 122 saw a 0.8 percent decline. The price of US copper producer grade 102 declined 0.7 percent.

Chinese copper prices were mixed for the day. Chinese copper wire fell 1.0 percent yesterday. Chinese copper bar prices saw a 0.5 percent decline. The cash price of Chinese copper weakened by 0.5 percent. The price of Chinese bright copper scrap held steady.

On the LME, the cash price of primary copper declined 1.4 percent to $7,095 per metric ton. Also on the LME, the 3-month price of copper fell 1.2 percent to $7,140 per metric ton.

Current Aluminum Prices

Dropping 1.4 percent on the LME, the aluminum cash price was the biggest mover on Thursday, May 16, closing at $1,800 per metric ton. The aluminum 3-month price saw a 1.0 percent decline on the LME to $1,834 per metric ton. The Indian aluminum cash price saw little price change on Thursday.

Chinese aluminum closed mixed yesterday. The Chinese aluminum cash price declined 0.2 percent. The price of Chinese aluminum scrap remained steady. The price of Chinese aluminum billet held steady. The price of Chinese aluminum bar saw essentially no change for the fifth day in a row.

FREE Download: The most recent Monthly MMI® Report – price trends for 10 metal markets!