GLOBAL ALUMINIUM WRAP: LME contango bumps up US, Rotterdam premiums

Aluminium premiums in the US Midwest and in Rotterdam rose on Tuesday July 21 following a wide contango on the London Metal Exchange, while premiums in Asia were flat.

A wide contango and uncertainty about tariffs affecting Canada pushed the US Midwest premium to its highest since April.Slightly bullish sentiment, contango continued to support premiums throughout Europe.Premiums in Asia were steady following Main Japanese Ports (MJP) third-quarter negotiations concluded on Wednesday last week.
US Midwest premium at 3-month high
The US Midwest aluminium premium has jumped to its highest level since April 13, with traders raising their offers due to bullish sentiment on the premium and a wide contango on the LME's cash/three-month spread.
Fastmarkets assessed the aluminium P1020A premium, ddp Midwest US, at 10.5-11.5 cents per lb on July 21, up week on week by 2 cents per lb from 8.5-9.5 cents per lb.
Spot-market activity remained thin, but some traders remarked that demand has picked up slightly.

Even with the spot market quiet, traders raised offers because the LME's...

Gold stocks outpace flat large caps

TSXV gold producers' output growth for Q4/25 mixed

Rising metals price volatility over past month

Gold stocks surge ahead of equities on metal price gain

Base metals outlook for 2026 opaque after decent rise last year