SMM Zinc Market Daily Review (2015-8-14)

SHANGHAI, Aug. 17 (SMM) –SHFE 1510 zinc contract prices opened at RMB 14,905/mt last Thursday evening, then fluctuated between RMB 14,900-14,950/mt, and closed at RMB 14,950/mt, down RMB 5/mt or 0.03%. The PBOC raised the central parity of RMB:USD last Friday, weighing down SHFE 1510 zinc contract prices to RMB 14,840/mt and closed at RMB 14,870/mt, down RMB 75/mt or 0.5%. Trading volumes decreased 72,526 to 109,444 lots, and total positions increased 1,008 to 150,472.

#0 zinc prices were between RMB 15,110-15,170/mt, RMB 240-270/mt above SHFE 1510 zinc contract prices last Friday. #1 zinc prices were RMB 15,060-15,090/mt. Spot premiums of imported #0 zinc were RMB 150/mt against SHFE 1510 zinc contract prices. Smelters sold modestly as supply of registered #0 zinc was sufficient, with spot premiums narrowing. Supplies of non-registered and imported zinc grew, with some traders selling imported goods for future delivery. Downstream buying interest was weak, with trading muted and traded prices between RMB 15,120-15,140/mt in the afternoon.