Volatile LME spreads may not directly dictate physical aluminum prices, but with tight inventories, rising Midwest premiums, and traders creating "artificial contangoes", financing costs are increasingly being pushed into the physical market.
The partnership could reshape how recycled aluminum is processed and delivered to customers across the United States.
The ruling might not be the last word – but it’s a signal on where future cases my land.
On February 11, 2025, President Trump slammed the door on aluminum imports with a sweeping 25% tariff, eliminating all previous country exemptions. No more breaks for Canada, Mexico, or the EU, if aluminum is coming into the U.S., it’s getting taxed. Period. This move is a game-changer for manufacturers, processors, and buyers who rely on […]
Tariff talks What that means for Midwest premiums (MWP) Unintended consequences: Who fills the supply gap? The EU might ban Russian aluminum UBC prices are squeezing mills Good turnout, but a market looking for direction Economics & pricing flows Short-term tightening in spreads and inflationary pressures suggest an environment of increasing cost sensitivity and continued […]
On January 10th, a newly formed Canada-U.S. Trade Council was formed. It is meant to smooth over growing trade tensions, inspired by the tariff threat, but skepticism is already running high. A service center I spoke with dismissed the council outright, saying, “The bios are heavy on politicians, which means little will be accomplished.” It’s […]
Some of you might be scratching your heads, wondering why you should even care about future’s spreads when you’re doing deals back-to-back. Well, hang tight, and I’ll break it down for you in plain terms. What happened to the Mar-April aluminum spread on the LME? The spread between March and April went into a backwardation, […]
In the intricate world of base metals trading, one strategy stands out for its simplicity and effectiveness: cash and carry.
The titan in aluminum recycling cited market conditions as it backed off its public offering
The Atlanta-based company's customers include Ball Corporation, Trane Technologies and Jaguar Land Rover.