Aluminum orders in North America fell 2.7% in November from the previous month due to continued de-stocking ahead of the year’s end as well as uncertainty about aluminum prices.

Orders remain in a choppy, sub-par uptrend. This marks the second month of declining orders; however they remain up strongly from 2010.

The overall monthly decline in shipments was lead by aluminum foil, which saw orders fall 6.9% in November from October. Partially offsetting the decline in aluminum foil shipments was aluminum sheet and aluminum plate which saw shipments rise 2.2% and extruded shapes which had a 1.3% rise.

Aluminum orders are important for companies with downstream manufacturing businesses.

Excerpts from American Metal Market December 26 2011