Aluminum Price Today: China HFT Crackdown Stalls Rally Near $3,166

The Aluminum Price is holding steady at $3,166.93 per tonne, posting a marginal 0.10% gain over the last seven days. Following a robust 7.40% surge over the past month and a 5.93% increase year-to-date, the industrial metal has entered a period of consolidation as regulatory interventions in China offset ongoing global supply constraints.

Market Drivers: Regulatory Headwinds vs. Physical Tightness

The primary factor capping gains this week is China’s new regulatory clampdown on high-frequency trading (HFT). In a move to curb excessive speculation, Chinese regulators recently ordered mainland exchanges to remove servers operated by HFT firms. This policy shift triggered a liquidity withdrawal, causing prices to retreat slightly from the three-year highs reached earlier in January.

However, the downside remains limited by significant physical supply risks. Temporary smelter suspensions in Iceland, Mozambique, and Australia are tightening global availability. Furthermore, China’s strict 45-million-ton production cap continues to restrict excess output, creating a structural floor for prices. Despite the regulatory cooling measures, demand from the electric vehicle (EV) and renewable energy infrastructure sectors remains resilient, keeping the long-term outlook bullish.

Technical Outlook

Technically, the Aluminum Price is pausing after an explosive start to the year. The flat 7-day performance suggests profit-taking rather than a trend reversal. Traders should watch the $3,140 level as key support; maintaining this floor would confirm a bullish consolidation pattern, potentially setting the stage for a retest of the recent highs near $3,200.

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