Global Trade
December 19, 2025
Written by Greg Wittbecker
As part of our continuing series on the basics of the aluminum trade, we want to talk about options this week.
Options tend to arouse many emotions. There is fear, loathing, or enthusiasm surrounding them. Hopefully, this article will dispel some common misconceptions about options and explain how they can be an effective tool when used correctly.
LME aluminum prices returned to February levels despite a 50% decrease in warehouse inventories and a substantial narrowing of the cash-to-three-month contango.
Help shape the conversation on the aluminum market by participating in AMU’s monthly survey, with the latest on lead times, imports, logistics, prices and more.
Outside of energy, base metals had a mixed week. Tin lost almost 4% on the week, finishing at $53,000/ton. Prices dropped to a low of $51,259/ton at one point. Aluminum was another loser, off by about 1.6% on the week. Investors are expecting more aluminum supply going forward, especially out of China and Indonesia.
US aluminum scrap imports increased faster than exports through August, while similar tonnage gains kept net exports near year earlier levels.
Stellantis’ Etobicoke Casting Plant faces uncertain production commitments and potential operational disruption as Unifor prepares strike authorization votes.
