China Zinc Supply Not Hurt despite Big Fall in Zinc Imports, SMM Reports

Total zinc inventories across seven Chinese markets stood at 128,700 mt as of November 19, down 2,600 mt from November 12 and 6,500 mt from November 15.

SHANGHAI, Nov 3 (SMM) - The most-traded SHFE zinc contract hit its highest since September 2007 on October 18 after consolidating for nearly three months, but subsequently pulled back.

The focus this week includes: The Fed’s FOMC meeting, coal price trends, final value of October Manufacturing PMI in Eurozone, final value of US October Markit Manufacturing PMI, October ISM Manufacturing PMI, October ADP Employment, October unemployment rate; China's October Caixin Manufacturing PMI and October Caixin Service PMI. In terms of events, FOMC will announce the interest rate resolutions this Thursday; the Fed Chairman Powell will hold a press conference; the Bank of England will announce interest rate resolutions, meeting minutes, and monetary policy reports; and European Central Bank President Lagarde and Executive Committee Member Schnabel will deliver speeches.

Total zinc inventories across seven Chinese markets stood at 147,200 mt as of October 18, up 8,100 mt from Friday October 15 and 10,600 mt from last Monday October 11.

Zinc inventories in China rose this week.

An inflow of imported zinc is likely to weigh on domestic prices following the arbitrage window opened in May.

China’s refined zinc imports witnessed a big growth in August.

LME zinc inventories surged by 13,800 tonnes based on LME data, mainly at warehouses in Antwerp. 

The price spread on zinc expanded 30 yuan per tonne between Guangdong and Shanghai today, SMM reported.

Shanghai will see additional inflows of imported zinc in the near term due to import profit, SMM foresees.