1.   Comalco said the main reason for the increase in profit was higher aluminium prices and lower metal inventories.

2.   It noted an increase in aluminium prices which is benefiting its smelter operations, and improved performance in a number of its overseas markets.

3.   In contrast, aluminium prices slipped to a two-year low as dealers beat their brow in the face of burgeoning stocks of metal around the world.

4.   It blamed difficult market conditions, including lower primary aluminium prices, a stronger Australian dollar and softer alumina spot prices.

5.   A buildup of reserves of the metal held in LME warehouses damped aluminium prices this week.

6.   Aluminium prices rose on the wings of copper and the stabilisation of LME stocks this week.

7.   Aluminium prices were unable to sustain recent gains as speculators eschewed the market.

8.   Aluminium prices also rose on the wings of a fall in LME reserves.

9.   Aluminium prices held firm despite the movements in copper.

10.   Aluminium prices rose as speculative buyers purchased the metal because of technical strength in the market, dealers said.