EUROPEAN MORNING BRIEF 30/07: SHFE copper, lead prices fall; US Midwest ali premium climbs; lithium continues downtrend

Good morning from Metal Bulletin's offices in Asia, bringing the latest news and pricing stories on Monday July 30.

The majority of base metals prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange ended the morning trading session on Monday in positive territory, with only copper and lead bucking the general strength.

Check Metal Bulletin's live futures report here.





The US Midwest aluminium premium has clawed its way back to higher ground, although market participants are concerned that another US government move on trade tariffs could potentially derail the correction.

Earnings at Brazilian flat steel and iron ore producer Usiminas dropped by 30.8% year on year in the second quarter of 2018, on lower steel production volumes and higher expenses.

Optimism is fading in the secondary aluminium scrap market in the United States, with mounting supplies and thin demand leading to continued erosion in prices.

And in case you missed it, be sure to check out Metal Bulletin's latest battery raw materials market report.

Monetary-driven precious metals outperform major base metals

Gold stocks hit by plunging equities markets

Gold stocks down as metal and equities momentum fades

Another Kazatomprom guidance announcement shakes uranium price

Major monetary drivers still supporting gold