This year has not been a good one for aluminum prices (ALU23). The aluminum futures benchmark on the London Metal Exchange has fallen nearly a fifth since its January peak, and more than 40% from last year’s highs — largely due to economic weakness in Europe and the U.S., and poor construction demand in China.
The benchmark three-month future contract on the LME is currently about $2,180 a metric ton, down from more than $3,840 a ton at last year’s peak.
