The Metals Activity Report from the Metals Service Centre Institute shows that shipments of aluminium from metals service centres in the United States rose in October from September levels and inventories also rose

In Canada, however, October metals service centre aluminium shipments dipped slightly in October from September’s small rises and inventories of aluminium also reduced a bit.

1. US

October shipments of aluminium products from US metals service centres totalled 92,500 tons, a 7.0% rise from September shipments but 36.1% below year ago volume.

Aluminium shipments for the first 10 months of the year of 879,000 tons were 41.1% lower than volume during the same period last year.

US aluminium inventories stood at 257,900 tons at the end of October, a 1.2% rise from September month end inventories but 40.5% below those of the same time last year. At current shipping rates, aluminium inventories represented a 2.8 month supply.

2. Canada

Canadian aluminium shipments in October totalled 11,000 tons, down 1% from September and 23.7% lower than shipments in October 2008.

Year to date shipments of 107,200 tons were 25.2% below those of the same period last year.

Metals service centre aluminium inventories in Canada totalled 26,600 tons, a 7.4% decline from September and 26.8% below year-earlier inventories. Aluminium stocks were sufficient to meet demand for 2.4 months at current shipping rates.

The Metals Activity Report, based on data from metals service centres in the United States and Canada, is produced by the Metals Service Center Institute and a third-party econometrics and strategy firm, McCoy, Scott & Co.