London Metal Exchange (LME)
06 Mar 2015
LME Base Metals Performance in February 2015
Aluminium (Al)
Aluminium was on a downward slope during the month of February 2015 with a 3% decrease month on month. It reached a high of US$1,871.25/t and a low of US$1,772.25/t. The average cash price of aluminium during February 2015 was US$1,820.43/t. Aluminium is used in the transport, construction, packaging and electrical sectors.
Graph 1. LME average US$/t cash price of aluminium during February 2015
Cobalt (Co)
Cobalt was down 4% month on month during February 2015. It reached a high of US$29,750.00 and a low of US$28,550.00 with an average cash price of US$29,038.75. Cobalt is used to make high speed and high temperature cutting tools and dyes. It is also used to make alloys for jet engines and gas turbines.
Graph 2. LME average US$/t cash price of cobalt during February 2015
Copper (Cu)
Copper was the best performing base metal on the London Metal Exchange during February 2015 with an increase of 6% month on month. It reached a high of US$5,935.25/t and a low of US$5,535.25/t with an average cash price of US$5,701.49/t. Copper is predominately used in electrical equipment such as wiring and motors.
Graph 3. LME average US$/t cash price of copper during February 2015
Lead (Pb)
Lead was down 6% month on month in February 2015. It reached a high of US$1,849.50/t and a low of US$1,725.75/t with an average cash price of US$1,804.13/t. Lead is used in the manufacture of lead-acid batteries which are used in vehicles, hospitals and computers.
Graph 4. LME average US$/t cash price of lead during February 2015
Molybdenum (Mo)
Molybdenum was the worst performing base metal on the London Metal Exchange in February 2015 down 13% month on month. It reached a high of US$19,250.00/t and a low of US$16,100.00/t with an average cash price of US$17,372.50/t. Molybdenum is primarily used as an alloying agent in steel.
Graph 5. LME average US$/t cash price of molybdenum during February 2015
Nickel (Ni)
Nickel was down 7% month on month in February 2015. It reached a high of US$15,372.50/t and a low of US$13,912.50/t with an average cash price of US$14,531.13/t. Nickel is used in industrial and consumer products including stainless steel, magnets, coins and rechargeable batteries.
Graph 6. LME average US$/t cash price of nickel during February 2015
Tin (Sn)
Tin was down 6% month on month in February 2015. It reached a high of US$18,972.50/t and a low of US$17,827.50/t with an average cash price of US$18,284.13/t. Tin is used in alloys, solder and as a coating on other metals to prevent corrosion.
Graph 7. LME average US$/t cash price of tin during February 2015
Zinc (Zn)
Zinc was slightly down by 3% month on month in February 2015. It reached a high of US$2,152.00/t and a low of US$2,032.00/t with an average cash price of US$2,102.74/t. Zinc is used in galvanizing, alloying and brass and bronze.
Graph 8. LME average US$/t cash price of zinc during February 2015
For further details on London Metal Exchange, visit www.lme.com
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