SMM Evening Comments (Mar 14): Shanghai Nonferrous Metals Closed Mixed on Silicon Valley Bank Collapse

SHANGHAI, Mar 14 (SMM) - Shanghai nonferrous metals closed mixed in day trading. On the macro front, the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank set off panic among market players, who were concerned that the following rate hikes might be affected. The US CPI data to be released tonight is of great attention.

SHFE copper dropped 0.61%, aluminium gained 0.05%, lead improved 0.59%, zinc gained 0.11%, tin slipped 1.86%, and nickel shed 0.14%.

Copper: The most-traded SHFE 2304 copper closed down 0.61% or 420 yuan/mt at 68,550 yuan/mt, with open interest down 3,438 lots to 141,833 lots.

In the spot market, some spot premiums were weighed down by backwardation structure of SHFE copper near-month contract. Although some cargo holders were insistent in their offers, the spot transaction prices of spot still inched lower. When the market starts to quote against SHFE 2304 copper contract tomorrow, the goods holders will quote at premiums of about 100 yuan/mt.

Aluminium: The most-traded SHFE 2304 aluminium closed up 0.05% or 10 yuan/mt at 18,270 yuan/mt, with open interest down 5,403 lots to 188,156 lots.

In terms of fundamentals, aluminium supply was suppressed, while demand was slowly recovering. Aluminium ingot social inventory began to fall, which will support aluminium prices. Decline in smelters’ costs will be limited. In this context, aluminium prices may remain rangebound.  

Lead: The most-traded SHFE 2304 lead closed up 0.59% or 90 yuan/mt at 15,240 yuan/mt, with open interest down 9,355 lots to 60,343 lots.

When lead prices rallied, the limited lead supply in the spot market encouraged goods holders to hold prices firm on approaching delivery of front-month contract. And downstream enterprises purchased as needed, allowing brisk transactions in the spot market.

Zinc: The most-traded SHFE 2304 zinc closed up 0.11% or 25 yuan/mt at 22,855 yuan/mt, with open interest down 2,613 lots to 82,697 lots.

As zinc prices strengthened today, the market transactions dropped today compared with the day before when on-dip purchases were active. The spot premiums of low-priced brands fell, but the trading in the market was modest.

Tin: The most-traded SHFE 2304 tin closed down 1.86% or 3,480 yuan/mt at 184,000 yuan/mt, with open interest down 5,987 lots to 71,534 lots.

As tin prices hover at lows, most smelters were tough on prices and held back from selling. According to the feedback from traders, inquiries were low today, and some trades were closed at low prices.

Nickel: The most-traded SHFE 2304 nickel closed down 0.14% or 250 yuan/mt at 177,570 yuan/mt, with open interest down 6,907 lots to 68,929 lots.

In the spot market, Jinchuan nickel was quoted in premiums of 7,000-7,500 yuan/mt, with an average of 7,250 yuan/mt, up 150 yuan/mt on a daily basis. NORNICKEL nickel was in premiums of 2,300-2,500 yuan/mt, with an average of 2,400 yuan/mt, down 150 yuan/mt. Nickel futures rallied today while spot prices were stable. The trading in the market was still slack. For nickel briquette, the prices stood between 180,000-180,700 yuan/mt, up 2,950 yuan/mt from the previous trading day. 

[Disclaimer: The above representation and data is based on market information SMM believes to be reliable at the time of acquiring as well as the comprehensive assessment by SMM research team, and any and all information provided in this article is for reference only. This article does not constitute a direct recommendation for investment or any decisions in any form and clients shall act on their own discreet and any decisions made by clients are not within the responsibility of SMM.]