The weekly Davis Index for A380.1 increased by 0.7¢/lb to 1.172¢/lb delivered US consumer on Friday as increasing production costs and labor shortages continued to impact the secondary alloys industry.
Alloy producers that use high-grade copper and silicon continued to reel from the high costs of procuring these raw materials. Moreover, a jump in the overall base metals prices on Friday may further impact the prices for these alloys. A soft automotive market continues to affect aluminum alloy makers, though the weakness in this sector is being offset by strong demand from other industries.
The index for A356.1 rose by 2.5¢/lb to $1.38/lb delivered US consumer. Davis Index prices for A413.1 fell by 2.3¢/lb to $1.333/lb delivered. A360.1 declined by 1¢/lb at $1.303/lb delivered and 319.1 dropped by 1.2¢/lb to $1.258/lb delivered.
Like most other industries across the US, shortage of labor continues to hamper producer margins with smelters facing difficulties in hiring new workers. Freight, especially trucking costs are soaring again because of a dearth of truckers, with the impact being borne by producers and buyers alike and straining capacities.
The LME Aluminum cash price increased by $97.50/mt to $2,404.50/mt ($1.09/lb) on Friday from May 21.