US export aluminum scrap prices rose across most secondary grades on Thursday, while mill grades were flat or lower. Demand for TT and Tense has resurfaced after months of inactivity in the market.
The weekly Davis Index for Taint/Tabor increased 1.7¢/lb to 74.7¢/lb fas US port while the index for Tense jumped 2.5¢/lb to 74.5¢/lb fas as demand for shredded cast surged in India. Some buyers were willing to pay as much as 77-78¢/lb for low-attachment cast scrap.
Prices for A356 wheels declined 1.2¢/lb to 96.3¢/lb fas, on weakened demand from the auto sector in Japan and China. However, Talk indexed at 2.087¢/lb fas, up 4.2¢/lb over the week.
India continues to be one of the price makers. Chinese buyers are more focused on high-grade old sheet aluminum with 1pc attachment. At best, bids were heard at 75¢/lb from this region of the world. However, some buyers in China/Malaysia have now switched to Twitch purchases altogether since it does well with the Customs, and costs just a penny more right now.
The weekly Davis Index for Zorba 95/2 fell 1.6¢/lb to 67.3¢/lb fas US port while Zorba 99/3 went up 0.5¢/lb to 69¢/lb fas US port. Indian destination 95/2 bids were heard around 65-66¢/lb as demand declined for this grade. In China, demand for 99/3 has improved marginally and bids are up by pc from last week.
The official LME Aluminium cash price closed Thursday at $2,495/mt ($1.131/lb), up $60/mt from Jul 8.