SHANGHAI, Mar. 11 (SMM) – Zinc prices turned in the weakest performance of all base metals last week due to new restrictions announced for China’s property markets. However, as demand improves, prices should halt their decline. If China’s February CPI and major economic data from Europe and US also turn out to be positive, zinc prices should bottom out next week. LME zinc prices should move between USD 1,960-2,020/mt, and SHFE three-month zinc contract prices should be between RMB 15,200-15,500/mt. Downstream purchasing will increase as demand improves, but smelters will continue to hold goods, causing spot supply to decrease and spot discounts against SHFE 1305 zinc contract prices to remain between RMB 180-230/mt.