1. Report Industry Investment Rating - Not mentioned in the provided content 2. Core Viewpoints of the Report - The core contradiction in the aluminum market this week is concentrated on the sudden disturbances in the international supply. After the previous news of the shutdown of the Mozal aluminum plant in Mozambique under South32, Century Aluminum's Grundartangi aluminum plant in Iceland announced production cuts due to equipment failures this week, intensifying market concerns about overseas supply. The LME aluminum rose 2.8% to $2,856.5 per ton, reaching a new high for the year; SHFE aluminum rose 1.4% to 21,225 yuan per ton, and the internal - external price spread widened. With relatively stable demand and expected supply disturbances, aluminum prices are expected to further fluctuate upwards. This week, the operating range of the SHFE aluminum main contract is expected to be between 21,000 - 21,600 yuan per ton; the operating range of LME aluminum 3M is expected to be between $2,780 - $2,950 per ton [12][13] 3. Summary by Directory 3.1 Week - on - Week Assessment and Strategy Recommendation - Supply: As of the end of September, China's electrolytic aluminum operating capacity was about 44.06 million tons, with a slight increase due to the commissioning of some replacement projects. In September, China's electrolytic aluminum production increased 1.1% year - on - year and decreased 3.2% month - on - month. In October, the operating capacity is expected to continue a slight increase. In September, the domestic aluminum water ratio rebounded 1.2% month - on - month, and the electrolytic aluminum ingot casting volume decreased 8.7% year - on - year and 7.9% month - on - month to about 857,000 tons [12] - Inventory & Spot: As of Thursday, the inventory was 607,000 tons, down 8,000 tons from last Thursday. The bonded area inventory was 74,000 tons, down 6,000 tons from last week. The total aluminum rod inventory on Thursday was 157,000 tons, down 4,000 tons from last Thursday. The LME global aluminum inventory was 473,000 tons, down 14,000 tons from last week. The spot premium in East China turned into a discount, and the LME market Cash/3M premium was $3.2 per ton [12] - Imports and Exports: In September 2025, China's primary aluminum imports were 247,000 tons, a 13.5% month - on - month increase and an 80.0% year - on - year increase. In September, China's exports of unwrought aluminum and aluminum products were 521,000 tons, a 1.7% month - on - month decrease [12] - Demand: According to SMM research, the operating rate of domestic aluminum downstream processing leading enterprises this week was 62.4%, a slight decrease of 0.1% from last week. The operating rates of primary aluminum alloy, aluminum cable, and aluminum profile increased slightly, while those of aluminum plate and strip, and aluminum foil were weak. It is expected that the operating rate of the aluminum downstream processing industry will remain stable next week [12] 3.2 Futures and Spot Market - Futures: SHFE aluminum rose 1.39% to 21,225 yuan per ton this week; LME aluminum rose 2.84% to $2,856.5 per ton. The spread between SHFE aluminum's first - and third - month contracts narrowed [21][27] - Spot: The East China region turned to a discount, the South China region was at par, and the discount in the Central Plains region widened. The LME aluminum Cash/3M premium narrowed [33][37] 3.3 Profit and Inventory - Profit: The primary aluminum smelting profit increased compared to last week and is at a historical high [42] - Inventory: The electrolytic aluminum inventory decreased. As of Thursday, the inventory was 607,000 tons, down 8,000 tons from last Thursday; the bonded area inventory was 74,000 tons, down 6,000 tons from last week; the total aluminum rod inventory was 157,000 tons, down 4,000 tons from last Thursday; the LME global aluminum inventory was 473,000 tons, down 14,000 tons from last week and at a multi - year low for the same period [49][52][56] 3.4 Cost Side - Bauxite: Domestic and overseas bauxite prices remained stable [70] - Alumina: The domestic alumina price decreased by 34 yuan per ton compared to last week, and the import price decreased by $6 per ton [73] - Electrolytic Aluminum Smelting Cost: The anode price remained flat, and the thermal coal price increased slightly compared to last week [75] 3.5 Supply Side - Alumina: In September, the monthly alumina output was 7.746 million tons, a decrease of 132,000 tons from August and a 12.7% year - on - year increase [82] - Electrolytic Aluminum: As of the end of September, China's electrolytic aluminum operating capacity was about 44.06 million tons, with a slight month - on - month increase in operating capacity and industry operating rate. In September, the output decreased 3.2% month - on - month. In October, the operating capacity is expected to continue a slight increase. In September, the overseas electrolytic aluminum output was 2.499 million tons, a 3.4% month - on - month decrease [85] - Aluminum Water Ratio: In September, the domestic aluminum water ratio rebounded 1.2%, and the electrolytic aluminum ingot casting volume decreased 8.7% year - on - year and 7.9% month - on - month to about 857,000 tons. The aluminum rod processing fee decreased compared to last week [88] - Provincial Electrolytic Aluminum Output: In September, the electrolytic aluminum output in each province decreased compared to August, with Shandong's output decreasing by 38,400 tons [93] 3.6 Demand Side - Downstream Operating Rate: In September, the operating rate of aluminum profiles decreased month - on - month, while those of aluminum plate and strip, and aluminum foil rebounded. The operating rates of primary aluminum alloy ingots and aluminum rods rebounded month - on - month. The operating rate of recycled aluminum alloy ingots rebounded. The price difference between primary aluminum and recycled aluminum alloy widened by 56 yuan per ton to 385 yuan per ton this week [104][107][110] - Terminal Demand: According to the production scheduling reports of the three major white goods released by Industry Online, in October 2025, the production scheduling of household air conditioners was 1.153 million units, an 18.0% year - on - year decrease with an expanding decline; the production scheduling of refrigerators was 863,000 units, a 5.8% year - on - year decrease with a slightly narrowing decline; the production scheduling of washing machines was 908,000 units, a slight 1.6% year - on - year decrease. The real estate completion data improved slightly, automobile production and sales were acceptable, and the production scheduling of photovoltaic modules is expected to rebound slightly [114] 3.7 Imports and Exports - Primary Aluminum: In September 2025, China's primary aluminum imports were 247,000 tons, a 13.5% month - on - month increase and an 80.0% year - on - year increase. The cumulative imports from January to September were 1.962 million tons, a 18.9% year - on - year increase. This week, the spot import loss of aluminum ingots fluctuated and widened [119] - Unwrought Aluminum and Aluminum Products: In September 2025, China's exports of unwrought aluminum and aluminum products were 521,000 tons, a 1.7% month - on - month decrease. The cumulative exports from January to September were 4.516 million tons, an 8.0% year - on - year decrease [126] - Recycled Aluminum: In September 2025, China's recycled aluminum imports were 155,000 tons, a decrease of 17,000 tons month - on - month and a 17.7% year - on - year increase. The cumulative imports from January to September were 1.501 million tons, a 10.9% year - on - year increase [126] - Bauxite: In September 2025, China's bauxite imports were 15.881 million tons, with imported ore accounting for 74.2%. The cumulative bauxite imports from January to September were 157.305 million tons [129] - Alumina: In September 2025, China's alumina exports were 246,000 tons, a 36.7% month - on - month increase and an 82.2% year - on - year increase. The cumulative alumina exports from January to September were 1.999 million tons [129]