China Imported Zinc Supply to Grow as Import Profit Window Reopens, SMM Says

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.

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.

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

Spot trading in Shanghai spot zinc market was dampened as SHFE zinc prices hovered at highs September 4, SMM reports.

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

Many zinc traders contributed the surge in zinc market mainly to two factors, 21st Century Business Herald reported. 

Downstream buyers and traders preferred imported goods as imported zinc was sufficient in Shanghai which held price advantage, SMM reports.

SHFE 1710 zinc opened at RMB 26,110/mt and closed at RMB 25,930/mt, down RMB 35/mt or 0.13%.

LME zinc reached a 10-year high on Wednesday since recent big gains in steel prices boosted raw material markets.