China’s Zinc Ingot Inventories Continued to Decline on Thursday, and the Center of SHFE Zinc Edged Higher [SMM Zinc Morning Comment]

Published: Mar 27, 2026 08:44
[SMM Zinc Morning Comment: China’s Zinc Ingot Continued Destocking on Thursday, and the Center of SHFE Zinc Edged Higher] Overnight, the most-traded SHFE zinc 2605 contract opened at 23,100 yuan/mt. After the opening, SHFE zinc fluctuated upward, touching a high of 23,340 yuan/mt near the beginning of the session. It then slowly pulled back amid fluctuations to around the daily average line, hitting a low of 23,070 yuan/mt, and finally closed up at 23,170 yuan/mt..

SMM News, March 27:

Overnight, LME zinc opened at $3,078/mt. After the opening, LME zinc fluctuated downward and hit a low of $3,044.5/mt. It then rebounded rapidly, touching an intraday high of $3,118.5/mt, before retreating continuously from highs and finally closing down at $3,073.5/mt, down $75/mt, or 0.24%. Trading volume increased to 11,961 lots, and open interest rose by 1,232 lots to 210,000 lots. Overnight, LME zinc recorded a bearish candlestick, with the 10-day moving average above forming resistance. As market expectations for a swift end to the Middle East war faded and the US dollar index continued to strengthen, zinc prices remained under pressure. LME zinc pulled back from highs during the session, while the overall center held steady at lower levels.

Overnight, the most-traded SHFE zinc 2605 contract opened at 23,100 yuan/mt. After the opening, SHFE zinc fluctuated higher and touched a high of 23,340 yuan/mt near the beginning of the session. It then fluctuated and slowly pulled back to around the daily average line, hitting a low of 23,070 yuan/mt, and finally closed up at 23,170 yuan/mt, up 100 yuan/mt, or 0.43%. Trading volume increased to 70,197 lots, and open interest rose by 661 lots to 104,000 lots. Overnight, SHFE zinc recorded a bullish candlestick, with the 10-day moving average below providing support. On the macro front, geopolitical conflicts persisted, while on the fundamentals side, as downstream consumption gradually recovered and China zinc ingot inventory continued to decline, SHFE zinc edged higher in the night session, with its center moving slightly upward.

Data source disclaimer: Except for publicly available information, all other data is processed and derived by SMM based on public information, market communication, and SMM's internal database models, and is for reference only and does not constitute decision-making advice.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM‘s internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or to learn more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn
For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn
Related News
Zinc Price Center Rose, with Mixed Demand Performance Across Die-Casting Zinc Alloy Segments [SMM Die-Casting Zinc Alloy Weekly Review]
Common.Time.minsAgo
Zinc Price Center Rose, with Mixed Demand Performance Across Die-Casting Zinc Alloy Segments [SMM Die-Casting Zinc Alloy Weekly Review]
Read More
Zinc Price Center Rose, with Mixed Demand Performance Across Die-Casting Zinc Alloy Segments [SMM Die-Casting Zinc Alloy Weekly Review]
Zinc Price Center Rose, with Mixed Demand Performance Across Die-Casting Zinc Alloy Segments [SMM Die-Casting Zinc Alloy Weekly Review]
[Zinc Price Center Rose, Demand Performance Varied Across Die-Casting Zinc Alloy Segments] This week, operating rates of die-casting zinc alloy remained rangebound. From the perspective of end-user orders, demand performance varied across segments. Demand for orders of electronic products and auto parts was relatively strong recently, while traditional hardware products were dragged down by the real estate market and performed relatively average; orders for luggage zippers were weak, but apparel zipper orders at some enterprises were relatively steady......
Common.Time.minsAgo
SHFE/LME Price Ratio Rebounded and Fluctuated Below 7.5 [SMM Weekly Review of the SHFE/LME Zinc Price Ratio]
Common.Time.minsAgo
SHFE/LME Price Ratio Rebounded and Fluctuated Below 7.5 [SMM Weekly Review of the SHFE/LME Zinc Price Ratio]
Read More
SHFE/LME Price Ratio Rebounded and Fluctuated Below 7.5 [SMM Weekly Review of the SHFE/LME Zinc Price Ratio]
SHFE/LME Price Ratio Rebounded and Fluctuated Below 7.5 [SMM Weekly Review of the SHFE/LME Zinc Price Ratio]
[SHFE/LME Price Ratio Rebounded and Fluctuated Below 7.5]: This week, the SHFE/LME price ratio rebounded and fluctuated below 7.5, and the zinc ingot import window remained closed. Outside China, geopolitical disruptions were frequent, and market expectations for a swift end to the conflict in the Middle East weakened, but disruptions at ex-China mines supported zinc prices, and LME zinc rebounded from lows.
Common.Time.minsAgo
April China TCs Were Expected to Face Resistance to Further Increases, Pending the Conclusion of Subsequent Negotiations [SMM Weekly Review of Zinc Concentrates]
Common.Time.minsAgo
April China TCs Were Expected to Face Resistance to Further Increases, Pending the Conclusion of Subsequent Negotiations [SMM Weekly Review of Zinc Concentrates]
Read More
April China TCs Were Expected to Face Resistance to Further Increases, Pending the Conclusion of Subsequent Negotiations [SMM Weekly Review of Zinc Concentrates]
April China TCs Were Expected to Face Resistance to Further Increases, Pending the Conclusion of Subsequent Negotiations [SMM Weekly Review of Zinc Concentrates]
[April China TCs Expected to Face Resistance to Further Gains, Pending the Conclusion of Follow-up Negotiations]: Weekly data showed that the average weekly SMM Zn50 domestic TC held flat at 1,550 yuan/mt in metal content, while the SMM imported zinc concentrates index fell $7.51/dmt MoM to -$2.28/dmt...
Common.Time.minsAgo
Register to Continue Reading
Gain access to the latest insights in metals and new energy
Already have an account?sign in here