SMM Morning Review - 2012/3/19 Lead Market

SHANGHAI, Mar. 19 (SMM) – LME lead prices opened at USD 2,125/mt last Friday, and moved weakly at the level due to a lack of focus events. During European trading hours, since the US February CPI and Core Consumer Price Index were worse than expected, investors booked profits. As a result, LME lead prices moved down to fluctuate between USD 2,095-2,110/mt and finally closed at USD 2,111/mt, down USD 16.8/mt. Traded volumes increased by 448 lots to 4,376 lots, and positions increased by 221 lots to 115,000 lots. LME lead inventories increased by 1,775 mt to 366,875 mt.

The US dollar index closed at 79.78, and COMEX 5 month silver closed at USD 32.6/oz, up USD 0.89/oz.

On Monday, SHFE lead prices should move between RMB 15,850-16,000/mt, and domestic spot prices are expected to be RMB 15,750-15,900/mt.