Aluminium prices rose 0.73 per cent to Rs 172.5 per kg in the futures trade on Thursday, as speculators built up fresh positions amid a positive trend in the spot market.

On the Multi Commodity Exchange, aluminium contracts for the February delivery gained Rs 1.25, or 0.73 per cent, to Rs 172.45 per kg in a business turnover of 684 lots.

Analysts said creation of fresh positions by traders on demand from consumer industries supported aluminium prices in the futures market.