US secondary aluminum prices were mixed over the past week as inclement weather caused both buyers and sellers to temporarily pause operations.
Many participants noted sluggish trading activity as the snow set back delivery times and drove freight costs up. Supply of secondary scrap remains tight, leading to increased prices for some grades.
The weekly Davis Index for old cast fell by 1.1¢/lb to 65.5¢/lb delivered US consumer while the index for old sheet rose by 1.1¢/lb to 66.9¢/lb delivered.
Zorba 95/2 prices increased by 5.5¢/lb to 67.5¢/lb delivered, driven largely by higher copper prices. Tweak, on the other hand, fell by 1.5¢/lb to 70.5¢/lb delivered while Twitch settled at 76.2¢/lb delivered, lower by 0.3¢/lb.
The Davis Index for high-grade turnings climbed 1.7¢/lb to settle at 64.2¢/lb delivered US consumer. Mixed 2000/7000 series turnings increased by 0.4¢/lb to 61.1¢/lb delivered.
The official LME cash price settled Wednesday at $2096.50/mt (95¢/lb), up by $26/mt from $2070.50/mt on Feb 10.