LME Trends Boost SHFE, SHFE Zinc Center Shifts Upward [SMM Zinc Morning Comment]

Published: May 21, 2026 08:42
[SMM Zinc Morning Comment: LME Trends Boost SHFE, SHFE Zinc Center Shifts Upward] Overnight, the most-traded SHFE zinc 2607 contract opened at 24,750 yuan/mt. After the opening, SHFE zinc fluctuated higher, touching a low of 24,750 yuan/mt early in the session and a high of 24,930 yuan/mt late in the session, ultimately closing up at 24,910 yuan/mt, up 120 yuan/mt.

SMM May 21:

During the overnight session, LME zinc opened at $3,513/mt. After the open, LME zinc fluctuated upward throughout the session, touching a low of $3,499.5/mt early in the session and a high of $3,569.5/mt late in the session, ultimately closing higher at $3,567.5/mt, up $56.5/mt or 1.61%. Trading volume increased to 9,871 lots, and open interest decreased by 2,775 lots to 236,000 lots. Overnight, LME zinc posted a bullish candlestick, with the upper Bollinger Bands rail forming resistance. Trump stated that negotiations with Iran had entered the final stage, and market expectations for the end of a US-Iran war heated up. The US dollar index softened, and LME zinc rebounded from lows, with the center shifting slightly higher.

During the overnight session, the most-traded SHFE zinc 2607 contract opened at 24,750 yuan/mt. After the open, SHFE zinc fluctuated higher, touching a low of 24,750 yuan/mt early in the session and a high of 24,930 yuan/mt late in the session, ultimately closing higher at 24,910 yuan/mt, up 120 yuan/mt or 0.48%. Trading volume decreased to 36,655 lots, and open interest increased by 2,294 lots. Overnight, SHFE zinc posted a bullish candlestick, with the 5-day moving average providing support below. On the fundamentals side, the persistent tightness in zinc concentrates continued to support zinc prices. Combined with the boost from LME trends, the center of SHFE zinc shifted higher during the night session, maintaining an overall fluctuating trend at highs.

Data source disclaimer: Data other than public information is derived from public information, market communication, and SMM's internal database models, processed by SMM. It 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
SMM Update: Zinc Ingot Inventory Falls 1,700 mt to 262,500 mt Across Seven Regions as of May 21
30 mins ago
SMM Update: Zinc Ingot Inventory Falls 1,700 mt to 262,500 mt Across Seven Regions as of May 21
Read More
SMM Update: Zinc Ingot Inventory Falls 1,700 mt to 262,500 mt Across Seven Regions as of May 21
SMM Update: Zinc Ingot Inventory Falls 1,700 mt to 262,500 mt Across Seven Regions as of May 21
[SMM Update] Based on SMM's communications, as of Thursday this week (May 21), SMM's total zinc ingot inventory across seven regions stood at 262,500 mt, down 1,700 mt from May 14 and down 3,500 mt from May 18, with China's inventory declining.
30 mins ago
U.S.-Iran Negotiations Enter Final Stage, LME Zinc Rebounds from Lows [SMM Zinc Morning Meeting Minutes]
3 hours ago
U.S.-Iran Negotiations Enter Final Stage, LME Zinc Rebounds from Lows [SMM Zinc Morning Meeting Minutes]
Read More
U.S.-Iran Negotiations Enter Final Stage, LME Zinc Rebounds from Lows [SMM Zinc Morning Meeting Minutes]
U.S.-Iran Negotiations Enter Final Stage, LME Zinc Rebounds from Lows [SMM Zinc Morning Meeting Minutes]
[SMM Zinc Morning Meeting Minutes: US-Iran Negotiations Enter Final Stage, LME Zinc Rebounds from Lows]: Overnight, LME zinc opened at $3,513/mt. After the opening, LME zinc fluctuated upward throughout the session, touching a low of $3,499.5/mt early in the session and a high of $3,569.5/mt late in the session, ultimately closing up at $3,567.5/mt, up $56.5/mt or 1.61%, with trading volume increasing to 9,871 lots...
3 hours ago
Strong Growth in Die-cast Zinc Alloy Exports Continues; Asia Absorbs Over 95%
17 hours ago
Strong Growth in Die-cast Zinc Alloy Exports Continues; Asia Absorbs Over 95%
Read More
Strong Growth in Die-cast Zinc Alloy Exports Continues; Asia Absorbs Over 95%
Strong Growth in Die-cast Zinc Alloy Exports Continues; Asia Absorbs Over 95%
According to the latest customs data, China imported 2,574 mt of die-cast zinc alloy in April 2026, down 20.79% month-on-month. From January to April 2026, China's cumulative imports of die-cast zinc alloy reached 10,636 mt, down 27.96% year-on-year.
17 hours ago
Register to Continue Reading
Gain access to the latest insights in metals and new energy
Already have an account?sign in here