U.S. aluminum costs have risen sharply since December 2024. Most of the increase comes from the Midwest Premium, the U.S.-specific charge on top of the global price, rather than from the global (LME) price itself. We track all three benchmarks monthly to help you plan purchases and understand what's behind your quotes for aluminum extrusions.
Market snapshot (September 2026): Compared with December 2024, the Midwest Transaction Price is up 88%, the Midwest Premium is up 385% and the LME price is up 29%.
Aluminum Price Charts, Updated Monthly
Each chart shows the percent change since December 2024. Data is updated monthly from published market benchmarks.
Jump to: Midwest | Midwest Premium| London Metal Exchange
Midwest Transaction Price
The Midwest Transaction Price is the all-in price of primary aluminum delivered to a U.S. buyer: the LME price plus the Midwest Premium. It is the raw metal cost before extruding, finishing or fabrication, so it is the best single indicator of where the metal portion of an extrusion quote is heading.
What moves it: any change in either the LME price or the Midwest Premium.
Midwest Premium
The Midwest Premium is the amount U.S. buyers pay above the LME price for aluminum delivered, duty paid, to the U.S. Midwest. It is quoted in cents per pound, and S&P Global Platts publishes the benchmark. It covers import tariffs, freight, warehousing and U.S. supply and demand. Since 2025 it has been the largest driver of U.S. aluminum costs, and in January 2026 it passed $1.00 per pound for the first time.¹
What moves it: Section 232 tariff rates, import volumes (especially from Canada), domestic smelter output and U.S. demand.
London Metal Exchange (LME) Aluminum Price
The LME aluminum price is the global benchmark for primary aluminum. It is traded on the London Metal Exchange and quoted in U.S. dollars per metric ton. Nearly every regional aluminum price is built on top of it.
What moves it: global supply and demand, smelter energy costs, Chinese production and exports, and broader economic conditions.
What's Driving Aluminum Prices Volatility
- Tariffs. Section 232 tariffs on imported aluminum are currently up to 50%. Since April 2026 they are charged on a product's full customs value. Because the U.S. imports most of the primary aluminum it uses, the tariff shows up in nearly every pound sold here.
- Limited domestic supply. U.S. smelting capacity is small relative to demand, so domestic producers can't replace imports quickly.
- The premium gap. The two forces above push the Midwest Premium up while the global LME price moves far less. U.S. buyers now pay much more than the global benchmark suggests.
- Global factors. Energy costs, Chinese output and worldwide demand still move the LME base price underneath it all.
What This Means for Your Business
The price of an aluminum extrusion is built from five parts, and metal is usually the largest:
- Metal: the Midwest Transaction Price, plus a billet premium for the specific alloy (for example, 6063 or 6061).
- Conversion: press time to extrude the profile, which depends on its size, complexity and the alloy.
- Finishing: mill finish, anodizing, paint or powder coat.
- Fabrication: cutting, machining, punching and packaging.
- Tooling (custom profiles only): a one-time die charge for a new profile.
Since metal is the biggest and most volatile part, a move in the charts above can change a quote even when nothing else does. Quotes are based on the metal price in effect when they're issued and are subject to change. Mills typically apply their price changes monthly, so a quote generally holds through the end of the month it's issued.
Planning a custom extrusion project?
- Request quotes early. New dies, first-article approval and production scheduling add lead time. A new die typically takes about 4 weeks, and lead times are currently running longer than usual.
- Share your annual volume. Forecasts help us plan inventory and may qualify you for Volume Pricing.
- Lock in supply. Our Stocking Program holds inventory for repeat orders, so you are less exposed to month-to-month swings.
- Consider a standard profile. If one of our stock shapes fits, you avoid tooling cost and lead time entirely.
How Orange Aluminum Helps You Manage Price Swings
- Stocking Program: we hold inventory for your repeat orders.
- Volume Pricing: tiered pricing for larger and recurring orders.
- Price Matching: we'll review a competitor's quote.
- Custom extrusions: support from drawing to delivery through our partner extruder.
Talk to a Sales Representative About Current Pricing
Want to review a quote, secure inventory or plan an upcoming project? Tell us what you need and a dedicated representative will follow up within 1–2 business days.
Aluminum Pricing FAQ
What is the Midwest Premium for aluminum?
The Midwest Premium is the price U.S. buyers pay above the global LME aluminum price for metal delivered, duty paid, to the U.S. Midwest. It covers tariffs, freight, warehousing and regional supply and demand. It is quoted in cents per pound, and S&P Global Platts publishes the benchmark.
Why are aluminum prices going up in the U.S.?
Mostly because of Section 232 tariffs and tight domestic supply. The U.S. imports most of its primary aluminum, so tariffs of up to 50% raise the Midwest Premium. Since December 2024 the premium has risen far faster than the global LME price.
What is the difference between the LME price and the Midwest Transaction Price?
The LME price is the global benchmark for aluminum. The Midwest Transaction Price is what a U.S. buyer actually pays: the LME price plus the Midwest Premium. Today the gap between the two is much wider than it was before 2025.
How do aluminum prices affect the cost of custom extrusions?
Metal is usually the largest part of an extrusion's price, so changes in the Midwest Transaction Price flow straight into quotes. The other parts (conversion, finishing, fabrication and one-time die tooling) change less often. That is why two quotes for the same profile can differ from month to month.
How often is this aluminum price data updated?
Monthly. Each chart shows the percent change since December 2024 for the Midwest Transaction Price, the Midwest Premium and the LME aluminum price. For current pricing on a specific project, contact our sales team.
How can I reduce my exposure to aluminum price swings?
Plan custom projects early, share your annual volumes and consider a stocking program that holds inventory for repeat orders. Orange Aluminum offers Volume Pricing, a Stocking Program and Price Matching to help keep costs predictable.
About this Data
The charts show the monthly percent change since December 2024 for the U.S. Midwest Transaction Price, the U.S. Midwest Premium and the LME 3-month aluminum price. Figures come from the monthly market reports issued by the aluminum mills we buy from. They are updated monthly. The data is provided for planning purposes and is not a price quote; contact us for current pricing on your project.
¹ Source: S&P Global Commodity Insights, “US aluminum trade uncertainty, supply tightness push Midwest premium above $1/lb,” January 26, 2026. View article.