BASE METALS HIGHLIGHTS: Top Stories Of The Day

SYDNEY (Dow Jones)--Russian aluminum producer UC Rusal is tentatively offering aluminum metal to Asia for fourth quarter term shipments, attracted by premiums that are likely to settle at the highest level since 1993, Japanese physical traders said Wednesday. The U.S. Midwest prompt aluminum premium over London Metal Exchange cash prices held steady around 5 to 5.5 cents over the last week, the same as in mid-August, traders and analysts said. MUMBAI (Dow Jones)--India's state-run and private companies produced 490,594 metric tons of aluminum in the April-July period, up from 418,334 tons a year earlier, according to data from the ministry of mines. Copper futures bounced from early weakness Wednesday after holding around chart support and then benefitting from a softer U.S. dollar. LONDON (Dow Jones)--Base metals ended mixed Wednesday as relatively flat equity and currency markets left the metals to trade on their own fundamentals. SHANGHAI (Dow Jones)--Base metals on the Shanghai Futures Exchange fell sharply Wednesday following losses in London Metal Exchange counterparts related to the recent pullback in equities. source:news.ino.com