SMM Lead Market Daily Review (2014-3-7)

SHANGHAI, Mar. 10 (SMM) – The most active SHFE 1404 lead contract started at RMB 13,800/m, and rose to RMB 13,830/mt, driven by rising LME lead prices at Thursday’s night session. The metal later hovered narrowly around RMB 13,815/mt with a lack of buying support, and closed up RMB 5/mt or 0.04% at RMB 13,810/mt. During the night session, trading volumes were only 36 lots, and positions were off 26 lots to 9,988 lots. SHFE lead prices fluctuated between RMB 13,770-13,810/mt on Friday, falling to a low of RMB 13,760/mt, and finished up RMB 10/mt or 0.07% at RMB 13,815/mt. Trading volumes shed 260 lots to 1,430 lots, and positions gained 526 lots to 10,540 lots on Friday.

In the Shanghai physical lead market on Friday, goods from Chihong Zn & Ge, Chengyuan, and Yubei traded between RMB 13,720-13,730/mt with narrower discounts of RMB 50/mt over the most active SHFE lead contract. Humon resources were sold at RMB 13,710/mt. Chihong Zn & Ge and Humon moved goods as usual, but other lead smelters were disinclined to trade. Lead warrant supply increased on Friday since spot discounts narrowed. Downstream small and medium-size producers went bargain-hunting, leaving transactions better than Thursday.