SMM Evening Comments (Feb 19): Shanghai nonferrous metals rose across the board for the 2nd day

SHANGHAI, Feb 19 (SMM) – SHFE nonferrous metals closed higher across the board on Friday February 19, extending increases from the prior day.

Tin was the best performer with a rise of 6%. Copper advanced 2.53%, aluminium edged up 0.89%, nickel climbed 3.96%, zinc increased 2.22% and lead went up 0.55%.

The ferrous complex closed mixed. Iron ore decreased 0.31%, hot-rolled coil slipped 0.45%, while rebar rose 0.29%.

Copper: The most-traded SHFE 2104 copper contract finished the day 2.53% higher at 64,320 yuan/mt. Open interest rose 19,979 lots to 147,830 lots. SMM data showed that the stocks rose 1,000 mt from the prior week to 345,300 mt as of Thursday February 18. The previous value was revised to 344,300 mt.

Aluminium: The most-liquid SHFE 2104 aluminium contract finished the day 0.89% higher at 16,490 yuan/mt. Open interest rose 17,822 lots to 190,832 lots. The increase of domestic aluminum ingots stocks may not exceed market expectations, supporting the contract after the CNY to some extent. The impact of domestic supply and demand mismatch on short-term sentiment fluctuations in the market after the CNY should continue to be monitored.

Zinc: The most-active SHFE 2103 zinc contract climbed to an intraday high of 21,670 yuan/mt and closed up 2.22% at 21,630 yuan/mt. Open interest fell 2,940 lots to 60,786 lots. The number of new cases of COVID-19 in the world was the lowest since October before the CNY, and the market expected better economic recovery and consumption recovery, while the growth rate of inventories was less than the market expectation. The market was optimistic about the future peak consumption season, which supported zinc prices. It is expected that zinc prices will continue to fluctuate upward after short-term adjustment at high.

Nickel: The most-traded SHFE 2104 nickel contract ended the day 2.58% higher at 138,590 yuan/mt today. Open interest rose 6,250 lots to 172,557 lots.

Lead: The most-traded SHFE 2103 lead contract slid to a session low of 15,425 yuan/mt and ended the day 0.55% higher at 15,570 yuan/mt. Open interest fell 1,106 lots to 27,995 lots. The market is optimistic about the economic recovery after the holiday and the demand for raw materials for industrial production. A-share industrial metal sector maintained its upward trend, while the nonferrous metals in Shanghai Stock Exchange generally rose, giving SHFE Lead support, and once again stood back to 15,500 yuan/mt before closing. The spot market has not fully resumed trading, and the secondary lead discount slightly expanded. Whether the contract could remain above 15,500 yuan/mt will be monitored tonight.

Tin: The most-liquid SHFE 2104 tin contract fell to a session low of 174,880 yuan/mt and finished the day 6% higher at 181,660 yuan/mt today. Open interest rose 8,876 lots to 43,446 lots. The market's worry about the shortage of tin supply at home and abroad attracted bulls to actively enter the market. It is expected that the contract will trade robustly in the near term.