Alba earnings dented by rising raw-material prices

Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), which is listed on the Bahrain Bourse, said its earnings were hit in the first quarter of 2025 due to higher raw material (alumina) prices.

Net profit fell 26 percent to BD18.1 million ($48 million) in the quarter ended March 31, 2025, compared to BD25 million a year ago, the company said in a statement.

Total income declined 39 percent to BD17 million in the first quarter from BD27.7 million a year ago.

Revenue from contracts with customers fell 22 percent year on year to BD409 million.

Despite market challenges, sales volume reached 374,809 metric tonnes, up by 3 percent year on year.

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However, Alba said high tariffs threaten demand despite initial positive indicators.

“While extreme US tariffs, especially on China, are likely to persist, they will likely cause global inflationary pressure,” the statement said.

Trump’s tariffs and the US dollar were key drivers of aluminium price movements, Alba said, adding that market sentiment remains fragile due to volatile US trade policies.