(March 13): Aluminium fell from its highest since 2022, and other metals declined, as mounting concerns over the economic consequences of a prolonged Middle East war dominated sentiment across markets. Aluminium slipped as much as 2.1% on the London Metal Exchange (LME), after climbing roughly 4% over the previous three sessions. Metals including copper have fallen since the war broke out, but aluminium has gained given the Middle East hosts about a tenth of global production. Industrial disruptions remain widespread at facilities throughout the Middle East, and commodity shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have all but halted. Such disruptions have sent traders rushing to withdraw metal from warehouses, and premiums for immediately available physical metal have jumped.

Source: The Edge Markets March 13, 2026 13:21 UTC