Chinese Brokerages Seek LME Membership Amidst Evolving Metals Market

By EC Assets · Published 26 June 2026

Chinese brokerages are pursuing membership in the London Metal Exchange (LME) as part of a broader strategy to expand their global metals operations. This effort aims to enhance their role in international metals trading. The move comes as China's financial markets see action in various sectors. The market turnover for June 26 reached 3.62 trillion yuan. Brokerage stocks experienced a rise on this date. In contrast, sectors such as precious metals, oil and gas, chemicals, coal, and non-ferrous metals lagged. This push by Chinese brokerages occurs while the global metals market observes other dynamics. Recent data showed China's net imports of gold via Hong Kong decreased by 38% from April to May. Separately, China's largest state-owned banks have initiated measures to suspend or scale back their retail precious metals trading services. Aluminium prices have seen corrections, leading to declines in shares of companies like Vedanta, Nalco, and Hindalco. This decline in share value is also influenced by rising Chinese supply and concerns over stake sales. This article is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice.