North American aluminum mill order index down 10.7% in September

The North American net new aluminum mill order index fell 10.7% in September compared with August, a report released late Tuesday by the Aluminum Association showed.


New mill orders decreased 4.6% compared with September 2012's total. Year to date, the index is down 4%, the report said.


September plate orders increased 5.2% from August, and were up 3.2% from September 2012 levels.


September sheet orders were down 13.2% compared with August, but increased 1.9% on the year-ago period.


September orders of extruded products declined 7.5% from August but were up 2.2% from a year ago.


September orders of foil decreased 30.4% compared with the previous month and were down 3.4% from a year earlier.


Orders of domestic can stock decreased 12.1% from August and were down 15.2% from September 2012. September orders of export can stock rose 6.9% from August and were up 10.2% from a year earlier.


The index is based on reports of new orders, less cancellations, received by 23 participants for the previous month.