美联储9月降息预期抬升，铜价有望上行

Group 1: Copper Market - The expectation of a Federal Reserve rate cut in September has increased, which is likely to support copper prices [1][2] - This week, the price changes for copper were -0.05% for LME copper, -0.47% for SHFE copper, and -0.62% for COMEX copper, indicating a period of fluctuation [2] - Domestic copper inventory has increased, with LME copper at 156,000 tons, COMEX copper at 271,000 short tons, and SHFE copper at 82,000 tons, showing a month-on-month change of +0.11%, +1.60%, and -5.4% respectively [2] - The downstream demand for copper has rebounded, with the copper rod operating rate at 71.8%, up by 1.19 percentage points [2] Group 2: Aluminum Market - The aluminum market is expected to maintain a fluctuating trend due to rising inventory levels [3] - The price of alumina has decreased by 0.15% to 3,225 CNY/ton, while the main futures contract for alumina fell by 0.41% to 3,192 CNY/ton [3] - The operating capacity for metallurgical-grade alumina reached 91.57 million tons per year, with a weekly operating rate down by 0.2 percentage points to 83.0% due to routine maintenance [3] - Domestic electrolytic aluminum prices fell by 0.34% to 20,700 CNY/ton, with a profit margin of 4,405 CNY/ton, up by 1.84% [3] Group 3: Lithium Market - Lithium salt prices are expected to rise due to seasonal demand, with carbonate lithium prices increasing by 1.45% to 84,000 CNY/ton [4][5] - The production of carbonate lithium this week was 19,000 tons, a decrease of 4.2% month-on-month [5] - SMM weekly inventory for carbonate lithium is at 142,000 tons, down by 0.5% [5] Group 4: Cobalt Market - The import volume of cobalt raw materials has continued to decline, which may accelerate the digestion of raw material inventory, leading to potential price increases [5] - Domestic cobalt prices fell by 0.38% to 261,000 CNY/ton [5] - The extension of the cobalt export ban by the Democratic Republic of Congo is expected to accelerate the reduction of cobalt raw material inventory, potentially leading to a tight supply situation in Q4 [5]