Lead Price Outlook Still Bearish after Plunge

Published: Jun 16, 2015 10:50

Save

SMM #1 lead price tumbled 150 yuan per tonne June 12 and extended losses on Monday. Markets remain bearish towards lead prices, SMM’s survey indicates.

SHANGHAI, Jun.16 (SMM) – SMM #1 lead price tumbled 150 yuan per tonne June 12 and extended losses on Monday. Markets remain bearish towards lead prices, SMM’s survey indicates.

Negative technical indicators may pressure the August-delivery SHFE lead, dragging down spot lead prices, market players surveyed by SMM said.

Weak fundamentals also bode ill for lead prices. The latest SMM survey of Chinese lead smelters shows their utilization rate grew to 59.05% in May, presaging growing supply in lead market. This occurred when lead-acid battery sector was in an offseason, meaning lead consumption should be poor.

Price edge of secondary lead will be another drag on #1 lead price, some respondents told SMM. The 400-600 yuan spread between secondary refined lead and #1 lead will boost buying interest for the former, hurting #1 lead demand.

For news cooperation, please contact us by email: sallyzhang@smm.cn or service.en@smm.cn.

lead price forecast

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

20 hours ago

Lead Prices Stagnant, Smelters Maintain Firm Offers Amid Losses

Lead prices were in the doldrums, while secondary lead smelters maintained firm offers due to losses. The mainstream spot order ex-factory prices including tax narrowed the discount to the SMM #1 lead average price by 100 yuan/mt, shifting to a premium of 0–25 yuan/mt, with some smelters halting offers and sales.

20 hours ago

"Domestic Secondary Crude Lead Market Slows as Holidays Approach, Smelters Halt Production"

Pre-holiday stockpiling by downstream enterprises had largely concluded, and a few had already entered the holiday period, completely suspending procurement. Next week, secondary lead smelters will enter a concentrated wave of production halts and holidays, resulting in sluggish trading activity in the spot market. Offers for spot refined lead orders were sparse, with prices moving in line with the market.

20 hours ago

Sluggish Transactions in Domestic Secondary Crude Lead Market, Prices at 15,250-15,400 Yuan/mt

The domestic secondary crude lead market experienced sluggish transactions. As of February 6, 2026, the ex-factory tax-exclusive offers for domestic secondary crude lead stood at 15,250-15,400 yuan/mt. Downstream refined lead and alloy smelters gradually entered the holiday period, showing weak stockpiling willingness. Overseas lead ingot suppliers basically halted transactions with China due to poor consumption in the Chinese market, with only some previously concluded shipments maintaining normal in-transit transportation. The trading atmosphere in the secondary crude lead market will continue to weaken next week.

20 hours ago