Why has the Alumina (ASX:AWC) share price fallen 8% over the last week?

Here's what might have been weighing on the Alumina share price lately.

| More on:
Young woman dressed in suit sitting at cafe staring at laptop screen with hands to her forehead looking tense

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

The Alumina Limited (ASX: AWC) share price has plummeted over the last week despite no news having been released by the company.

Interestingly, the company had a good day on the ASX today. That's despite the Australian Government pledging to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 ahead of next week's COP26 climate summit in Glasgow.

As The Motley Fool Australia has previously reported, Alumina is one of the S&P/ASX 300 Index's (ASX: XKO) biggest carbon polluters. It also doesn't have a plan to reach net-zero carbon emissions.

As of Monday's close, the Alumina share price is $2.11, 1.44% higher than it was at the end of Friday's session. However, it's still 8.2% lower than it was this time last week.

For context, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has gained 0.81% in that time. The All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) has also gained 0.84% over the week just been.

Let's take a look at what might have weighed on the aluminium producer's share price over the past week.

What's driving the Alumina share price down?

The Alumina share price's struggles on the ASX came amid the company's stock being downgraded by a major broker.

As The Motley Fool Australia reported on Saturday, analysts at Credit Suisse downgraded the company's stock to a neutral rating and slapped its shares with a price target of $1.90.

The reason behind the broker's downgrade was its belief that aluminium prices are unsustainable and Alumina's shares too expensive.

The price of aluminium has slipped since last week. It's been trending downwards since Wednesday after spending most of October surging higher.

According to data from Business Insider, 1 tonne of aluminium is currently US$2,868.15. That represents a fall of 1.46% over the course of today.  

Additionally, Alumina seems to have suffered through a sell-off last week.

Over the last 4 weeks, an average day has seen around 12.2 million Alumina shares swapping hands.

However, Thursday saw a whopping 41.7 million Alumina shares traded. Wednesday and Friday also saw above-average numbers passed from seller to buyer.

Motley Fool contributor Brooke Cooper has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on Share Fallers

A young man clasps his hand to his head with his eyes closed and a pained expression on his face as he clasps a laptop computer in front of him, seemingly learning of bad news or a poor investment.
Share Fallers

Why Chalice Mining, Cleanaway, Kogan, and Perpetual shares are sinking today

These ASX shares are having a tough time on Wednesday. But why?

Read more »

man grimaces next to falling stock graph
Share Fallers

Why did this ASX 100 stock just crash 11%?

Cleanaway shares have been on a crazy roller-coaster over the past 24 hours.

Read more »

A woman with a sad face looks to be receiving bad news on her phone as she holds it in her hands and looks down at it.
Share Fallers

Why Brambles, Lifestyle Communities, Northern Star, and Select Harvests shares are sinking

These shares are having a tough session. But why?

Read more »

A man sits in despair at his computer with his hands either side of his head, staring into the screen with a pained and anguished look on his face, in a home office setting.
Share Fallers

Why Cettire, DroneShield, St Barbara, and Star shares are dropping today

These ASX shares are having a tough time on Monday. But why?

Read more »

Woman in dress sitting in chair looking depressed
Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

Cettire share price plunges 6% after major investor pulls the plug

A 'red flag' triggered this investment company to sell out completely.

Read more »

A skydiving man in a jester hat and carrying a burger and sauce, pokes out his tongue at the camera, indicating all is not lost when you're falling.
Technology Shares

Why is the Droneshield share price crashing 19% on Monday?

Investors are sending shares in Droneshield down 19% in morning trade.

Read more »

A male investor wearing a blue shirt looks off to the side with a miffed look on his face as the share price declines.
Share Fallers

Why COG, Karoon Energy, Netwealth, and Pilbara Minerals shares are dropping today

These ASX shares are ending the week deep in the red. But why?

Read more »

A woman with a sad face looks to be receiving bad news on her phone as she holds it in her hands and looks down at it.
Share Fallers

Why Evolution Mining, Karoon Energy, ResMed, and Sayona Mining shares are dropping today

These ASX shares are having a tough session. But why?

Read more »