The Platts Australian alumina daily assessment closed the week flat at $354.50/mt FOB as market activity stalled amid the year-end holiday season.

The assessment was down 50 cents from a week ago, but up $2/mt month on month.

Earlier in the week, bids stood at $370/mt CIF China against offers of $374-375/mt CIF.

Weak aluminum prices on the LME and Shanghai Futures Exchange could pull down alumina prices in the near term, sources said.

Platts assessed the handysize freight market up 25 cents at $17.25/mt on Friday for 30,000 mt of alumina to be shipped in February from Western Australia to China's Lianyungang.

The assessment was down 25 cents from a week ago and also down $2.50/mt month on month, on lower tonnage and falling bunker prices.