METALS-Aluminium rises on strong Chinese data

* Aluminium hits highest since Nov. 20 * LME copper falls after 11 consecutive sessions of growth * China's 2024 GDP expanded 5.0%, met official target * U.S. tariffs in focus with Trump's Monday inauguration * ANZ sees aluminium and copper supply deficit in 2025 (Updates prices) By Polina Devitt A23LONDON, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Aluminium prices rose on Friday to their highest level in eight weeks as strong economic data from top metals consumer China attracted momentum-following funds and set aside uncertainty over potential U.S. trade tariffs. Three-month aluminium CMAL3 on the London Metal Exchange (LME) was up 1.9% at $2,684 per metric ton by 1717 GMT after hitting $2,692, its highest since Nov. 20. China's economy grew 5% last year, matching the government's target, but growth was unbalanced, led by industry and exports. The 2025 outlook for China remains uncertain with potential tariffs from the new administration in the U.S. after President-elect Donald Trump takes office on Monday. The upper trend in aluminium attracted buying from Commodity Trading Advisors (CTAs), funds that use computer models to track momentum, said a metals trader. Aluminium has also been supported this week by concerns about tightening supply to the European Union if the bloc bans imports from Russia. In a sign of concern about nearby supplies, the discount for the LME cash against the three-month aluminium contract CMAL0-3 narrowed to $10.4, lowest since October, compared with $43 a month ago. "The aluminium market is facing challenges, including sanctions, changes to trade policies and disruptions to the supply of bauxite and alumina," analysts at ANZ said in a note. Both aluminium and copper markets will be in supply deficit this year, though with the uncertainty surrounding the return of Trump to the White House the price volatility is likely in coming months before the longer-term trends emerge in the second half 2025, ANZ added. LME copper CMCU3 was down 0.5% to $9,180.50 a ton under pressure from profit-taking after previous 11 consecutive sessions of growth - its longest uninterrupted period of daily gain since 2016 - falling U.S. Comex copper futures and a stronger dollar. Comex futures HGc3 , which had seen sharp growth as the U.S. market priced in expected import tariffs in recent days, were last down 1.9%. Meanwhile, LME zinc CMZN3 gained 2.3% to $2,941 supported by a continuing decline of inventories in LME-registered warehouses. LME zinc total stocks MZNSTX-TOTAL were at the lowest since February 2024. Lead CMPB3 eased 0.2% to $1,966.50, tin CMSN3 rose 0.8% to $29,780, while nickel CMNI3 added 0.7% to $16,070. (Reporting by Polina Devitt. Editing by David Evans and Ros Russell) (([email protected]; Reuters Messaging: [email protected])) (( For related news and prices, click on the codes in brackets: LME price overview RING= COMEX copper futures 0#HG: All metals news MTL All commodities news C Foreign exchange rates FX= SPEED GUIDES LME/INDEX ))