Core Insights - The article provides an overview of the changes in metal inventories at the London Metal Exchange (LME), highlighting fluctuations in stock levels for various metals including copper, aluminum, zinc, tin, and nickel. Inventory Changes - Copper inventory decreased by 500 tons to 143,400 tons, reflecting a decline of 0.35% [1] - Aluminum inventory saw a reduction of 2,175 tons, bringing the total to 513,425 tons, a decrease of 0.42% [1] - Zinc inventory dropped by 1,000 tons to 40,950 tons, marking a decline of 2.38% [1] - Tin inventory increased by 80 tons to 2,750 tons, an increase of 3.00% [1] - Aluminum alloy inventory remained unchanged at 1,500 tons [1] Warehouse Specific Changes - The registered warehouse stocks for copper were 133,725 tons, with a cancellation rate of 6.75% [2] - For aluminum, registered stocks were 412,675 tons, with a cancellation rate of 19.62% [2] - Zinc registered stocks stood at 30,625 tons, with a cancellation rate of 25.21% [2] - Tin registered stocks were 2,300 tons, with a cancellation rate of 16.36% [2] - Nickel inventory remained stable with no changes reported [12] Location-Based Inventory - The inventory for copper in Rotterdam was stable at 15,825 tons, while in Singapore it decreased by 125 tons to 8,700 tons [4] - Aluminum inventory in Klang decreased by 2,050 tons to 333,000 tons, while in Kaohsiung it remained unchanged at 45,300 tons [5] - Zinc inventory in Singapore decreased by 1,000 tons to 40,850 tons [9] - Tin inventory in various locations showed minor fluctuations, with the largest increase of 80 tons in both Klang and Port Klang [11]

Core Viewpoint - The prices of base metals on the London Metal Exchange experienced a general decline on September 26, reflecting a shift in market sentiment due to weakened downstream demand and selective strength in metals with ongoing supply tightness [1][2]. Price Summary - Three-month copper closed at $10,205.00 per ton, down $70.50 from the previous trading day, a decrease of 0.69% [1]. - Three-month aluminum closed at $2,649.00 per ton, down $15.00 from the previous trading day, a decrease of 0.56% [1]. - Three-month nickel closed at $15,155.00 per ton, down $85.00 from the previous trading day, a decrease of 0.56% [1]. - Three-month lead closed at $2,001.50 per ton, down $7.50 from the previous trading day, a decrease of 0.37% [1]. - Three-month tin closed at $34,415.00 per ton, up $25.00 from the previous trading day, an increase of 0.07% [1]. - Three-month zinc closed at $2,886.50 per ton, down $36.00 from the previous trading day, a decrease of 1.23% [2].

Core Viewpoint - The prices of base metals on the London Metal Exchange generally declined on the 19th, influenced by ongoing trade and diplomatic uncertainties affecting demand expectations, as well as cautious market sentiment following interest rate cuts [1]. Price Summary - Three-month copper closed at $9,996.50 per ton, up $50.50 from the previous trading day, with a rise of 0.51% [1]. - Three-month aluminum closed at $2,676.00 per ton, down $29.00 from the previous trading day, with a decline of 1.07% [1]. - Three-month nickel closed at $15,270.00 per ton, down $65.00 from the previous trading day, with a decline of 0.42% [1]. - Three-month lead closed at $2,003.00 per ton, down $1.00 from the previous trading day, with a decline of 0.05% [1]. - Three-month tin closed at $34,220.00 per ton, up $470.00 from the previous trading day, with a rise of 1.39% [1]. - Three-month zinc closed at $2,898.50 per ton, down $14.50 from the previous trading day, with a decline of 0.50% [1]. Market Influences - The decline in base metal prices is attributed to mixed supply and demand signals, changing central bank policy expectations (particularly from the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan), and profit-taking following recent price increases [1]. - Only metals with limited supply or those less affected by demand concerns managed to maintain stable prices, while others experienced declines [1].

Group 1: Market Overview - On September 17, LME copper prices fell to a one-week low as traders reduced positions ahead of the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision, with demand from major metal-consuming countries being suppressed due to recent copper price increases [1][4] - LME three-month copper dropped by $130.5, or 1.29%, closing at $9,996.0 per ton, still above the 21-day moving average support level at $9,912 [1][2] - The copper price had previously reached a 15-month high of $10,192.50 per ton on Monday [1] Group 2: Other Metals Performance - LME three-month aluminum decreased by $34, or 1.25%, closing at $2,683.0 per ton, after hitting a six-month high of $2,720 [2][5] - LME three-month zinc fell by $48.5, or 1.62%, closing at $2,943.5 per ton [2][6] - LME three-month lead increased by $2.5, or 0.12%, closing at $2,012.5 per ton [2][7] - LME three-month nickel declined by $23, or 0.15%, closing at $15,405.0 per ton [2][8] - LME three-month tin dropped by $536, or 1.54%, closing at $34,345.0 per ton [2][9] Group 3: Market Sentiment and Influences - Alastair Munro from Marex noted that China acted as a seller in the copper market this week, with a lack of systemic buying and bearish mean reversion sell signals contributing to the overall weakness in copper prices [4] - Neil Welsh from Britannia Global Markets indicated that traders are not only focused on the expected interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve but are also awaiting clarity on future policy directions [4]

Core Viewpoint - The London Metal Exchange (LME) copper prices stabilized after reaching a five-month high, driven by expectations of a potential interest rate cut in the U.S. later this month and a weakening dollar [1][4]. Price Summary - LME three-month copper closed at $9,975.50, down $5 or 0.05% [2]. - LME three-month aluminum remained unchanged at $2,619.00 [5]. - LME three-month zinc decreased by $4, or 0.14%, to $2,861.00 [6]. - LME three-month lead increased by $1.50, or 0.08%, to $1,995.50 [7]. - LME three-month nickel rose by $72, or 0.47%, to $15,304.00 [8]. - LME three-month tin fell by $71, or 0.20%, to $34,662.00 [9]. Market Analysis - The copper market experienced a technical glitch that delayed electronic trading by 90 minutes, with prices initially touching $10,038, the highest since March 26 [4]. - ING's commodity strategist Ewa Manthey anticipates that upcoming U.S. employment data will indicate a weakening labor market, reinforcing the case for a rate cut [4]. - Despite the potential for lower interest rates improving the outlook for metals, concerns about economic growth due to broad import tariffs in the U.S. continue to pressure industrial metal market sentiment [4]. - The U.S. dollar index fell by 0.3%, making dollar-denominated metals more attractive to buyers holding other currencies, with surveys indicating a weaker dollar in the coming months [4].

Group 1 - The overall inventory levels for various metals have shown fluctuations, with copper inventory decreasing by 975 tons, representing a 0.63% decline [1] - Zinc inventory has decreased by 2,550 tons, which is a significant drop of 3.75% [1] - Aluminum inventory has also seen a reduction of 1,500 tons, marking a 0.55% decrease [1] Group 2 - The registered warehouse receipts for copper have decreased by 6.19%, with a total of 11,750 tons now registered [2] - Aluminum registered warehouse receipts have decreased by 4.91%, totaling 12,600 tons [2] - Zinc registered warehouse receipts have decreased by 9.62%, with 23,725 tons now registered [2] Group 3 - Specific warehouse inventory changes indicate that the copper inventory in Rotterdam has decreased by 150 tons, while Singapore's inventory has decreased by 250 tons [4] - The aluminum inventory in Singapore has decreased by 650 tons, reflecting a significant reduction [5] - Zinc inventory in Singapore has also decreased by 2,550 tons, indicating a similar trend across locations [9]

Core Viewpoint - The prices of base metals on the London Metal Exchange rose across the board on August 22, driven by expectations of monetary easing, stimulus measures in China for metal-intensive industries, improved U.S. manufacturing data, and tightening aluminum inventories [1]. Price Summary - Three-month copper closed at $9,810.50 per ton, up $76.00 from the previous trading day, a rise of 0.78% [1]. - Three-month aluminum closed at $2,621.50 per ton, up $28.50 from the previous trading day, a rise of 1.10% [1]. - Three-month nickel closed at $14,965.00 per ton, up $25.00 from the previous trading day, a rise of 0.17% [1]. - Three-month lead closed at $1,990.00 per ton, up $20.00 from the previous trading day, a rise of 1.02% [1]. - Three-month tin closed at $33,835.00 per ton, up $360.00 from the previous trading day, a rise of 1.08% [1]. - Three-month zinc closed at $2,808.00 per ton, up $41.00 from the previous trading day, a rise of 1.48% [1]. Influencing Factors - The rise in metal prices is attributed to a combination of factors including expectations of monetary easing, stimulus measures in China targeting metal-intensive industries, improvements in U.S. manufacturing data, and tightening aluminum inventories [1]. - The overall weakness of the U.S. dollar and speculative momentum ahead of key policy signals from Jackson Hole further supported metal prices [1].

Market Developments - The London Metal Exchange (LME) has officially launched its delivery warehouse in Hong Kong, which is expected to promote the settlement of commodities in Renminbi and enhance the currency's influence in international metal trading [1] - The U.S. Department of Commerce has announced the inclusion of 407 categories of steel and aluminum products in a list subject to a 50% tariff, covering items such as wind turbines, mobile cranes, railway vehicles, furniture, compressors, and pumps [1] - The U.S. and Japan are set to discuss the implementation of $550 billion in investments in key sectors including semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, steel, and shipbuilding, with plans to establish a review mechanism to assess national interest impacts [1] Economic Indicators - Standard & Poor's has maintained the U.S. sovereign credit rating at "AA+/A-1+" with a stable outlook, reflecting expectations of continued resilience in the U.S. economy [2] - In July, new housing starts in the U.S. increased by 5.2% month-over-month, reaching an annualized rate of 1.428 million units, marking a five-month high and surpassing expectations of 1.29 million units [2] - South Korea's automobile exports in July rose by 8.8% year-over-year, with exports to the EU increasing by 32.7%, while exports to the U.S. fell by 4.6%, although the decline was less severe than the 16% drop in June [2] Inflation Data - Canada's Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 1.7% year-over-year in July, with a month-over-month increase of 0.3%; the core CPI increased by 2.6% year-over-year, remaining flat at 0.1% month-over-month [3]

Core Viewpoint - The establishment of the London Metal Exchange (LME) delivery warehouse in Hong Kong is a significant step in building a commodity trading ecosystem, enhancing Hong Kong's status as an international financial and shipping center [1] Group 1: Strategic Importance - The LME warehouse in Hong Kong will facilitate the promotion of commodity trading in Renminbi, aligning with national development strategies [1] - This move is expected to enhance the usage and influence of Renminbi in international metal trading [1] Group 2: Economic Impact - The initiative is part of efforts to solidify Hong Kong's position as a hub for offshore Renminbi business [1] - The establishment of the LME network in Hong Kong is anticipated to lead to market transformation [1]

Group 1 - The establishment of the LME delivery warehouse in Hong Kong is a significant step in building a commodity trading ecosystem, enhancing Hong Kong's status as an international financial and shipping center [1][3] - The move is expected to lead to a transformation in the metal trading market, reducing logistics time and costs while improving allocation efficiency due to Hong Kong's strategic location and world-class logistics system [1][2] - The new warehouse will facilitate closer connections between the mainland market and the LME trading system, providing mainland enterprises with easier access to international metal trading and increasing their visibility [1][2] Group 2 - The LME warehouse in Hong Kong will enhance the resilience of regional non-ferrous metal supply by serving as a "reserve point" and "stabilizer," mitigating geopolitical risks and trade barriers faced by mainland enterprises relying on overseas warehouses [2] - The initiative aims to strengthen the integration of financial and logistics services in Hong Kong, attracting diverse high-quality third-party services and injecting new momentum into the international financial center [2] - The Hong Kong government has established a dedicated team to explore various aspects of gold trading, with plans to promote Hong Kong as an international gold trading center, including physical gold delivery [2] Group 3 - China, as the world's largest manufacturing country with a comprehensive industrial structure, has a massive demand for non-ferrous metals and possesses rich metal resources and advanced refining technology [3] - The integration into the LME delivery network is crucial for Hong Kong to support national development strategies and further solidify its position as an international financial and shipping hub [3]