US aluminum export prices moved up across most grades on continued strong demand from Asia. Segregated alloys prices have inched up again with smelters looking for cleaner known chemistry versus the wide range found in Zorba. India continues to move secondary alloys into other countries, and Chinese demand for secondary alloys looks to continue that trend.
The weekly Davis Index for 95/2 Zorba inched up by 0.2¢/lb to 52.5¢/lb fas US ports on Thursday, while 99/3 Zorba remained at 52.8¢/lb.
The Davis Indexes for both Taint/Tabor and for Tense were higher compared to last week, with Taint/Tabor increasing by half-a-penny to 54.7¢/lb fas US ports and Tense rising by 2¢/lb to 53.5¢/lb fas.
The 6063 new bare scrap index climbed by 3.2¢/lb to 80.2¢/lb fas US ports, while A356 wheels rose by 0.5¢/lb to 67.5¢/lb fas.
The Davis Index for aluminum-copper radiators increased by 2.1¢/lb, to $1.393/lb on a stronger copper market, which has moved above the $3/lb mark once again.
The official three-month LME aluminum contract increased by $37/mt to $1,839/mt on Thursday, from $1,802/mt on Oct 8.
Segregated alloys have been pressured by both the US domestic markets and exports markets in Asia, causing the continued run in higher scrap pricing. Shredder grades have tailed off on better flows due to robust ferrous scrap flow and the subsequent Zorba that comes with more shredding activity.