LME Zinc Prices Boosted SHFE, SHFE Zinc Opened Higher with a Gap [SMM Zinc Morning Comment]

Published: Apr 23, 2026 08:52
[SMM Zinc Morning Comment: LME Zinc Prices Boosted SHFE Zinc, SHFE Zinc Opened Higher with a Gap] The most-traded SHFE zinc 2606 contract opened at 24,360 yuan/mt. After the opening, SHFE zinc hovered at highs, dipping to a low of 24,300 yuan/mt in early trading and reaching a high of 24,460 yuan/mt during the session. It ultimately closed higher at 24,395 yuan/mt, up 145 yuan/mt or 0.6%. Trading volume increased to 57,090 lots, and open interest rose by 7,625 lots to 98,700 lots.

SMM April 23:

Overnight, LME zinc opened at $3,446/mt. After the open, LME zinc fluctuated upward throughout the session, dipping to a low of $3,433.5/mt early in the session. Near the close, LME zinc touched a high of $3,491.5/mt, ultimately closing higher at $3,466.5/mt, up $29.5/mt or 0.86%. Trading volume decreased to 10,210 lots, while open interest increased by 3,628 lots to 229,000 lots. Overnight, LME zinc posted a bullish candlestick, with the 5-day moving average providing support below. Trump extended the ceasefire period with Iran, non-ferrous metals rose broadly, and LME zinc ingot inventory continued to decline. The LME Cash-3M contango narrowed notably, and LME zinc fluctuated higher with its center continuing to shift upward.

Overnight, the most-traded SHFE zinc 2606 contract opened at 24,360 yuan/mt. After the open, SHFE zinc hovered at highs, dipping to a low of 24,300 yuan/mt early in the session. During the session, SHFE zinc touched a high of 24,460 yuan/mt, ultimately closing higher at 24,395 yuan/mt, up 145 yuan/mt or 0.6%. Trading volume increased to 57,090 lots, while open interest increased by 7,625 lots to 98,700 lots. Overnight, SHFE zinc posted a bullish candlestick with the KDJ indicator widening. Boosted by LME price movements, SHFE zinc opened higher with a gap in the night session. Additionally, as the SHFE/LME price ratio continued to run at low levels, the export window for China's zinc ingots showed a tendency to open, and SHFE zinc maintained a fluctuating trend at highs.

Data source statement: Data other than publicly available information is derived from publicly available information, market communication, and SMM's internal database models, processed by SMM 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.

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