Aluminum Leads Base Metals Down on Dim Supply and Demand Balance

(Bloomberg) -- Aluminum extended its retreat from a two-month high as concerns about the strength of China’s demand recovery lingered, with supplies remaining sufficient. Other industrial metals also declined.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Since Tuesday’s close, aluminum has retreated by more than 3%, paring what was a strong monthly gain. The discount of its spot price to the three-month contract on the London Metal Exchange widened to $29 a ton, a sign that immediate global supplies are ample.

“Aluminum supply remains elevated, while downstream demand recovery in China is limited,” Guangzhou Futures Co. said in a note that predicted the metal will decline further.

Aluminum fell 1.4% to $2,461 a ton on the LME as of 9:44 a.m. local time, trimming this month’s gain to just above 7%. Most base metals declined, with tin and lead also falling just under 1.4%. Copper declined 0.8%.

--With assistance from Mark Burton.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

?2024 Bloomberg L.P.

Advertisement