Premiums of Russian Nickel Edge Higher, SMM Reports

Nickel futures prices rose significantly last week and then fell to around 140,000 yuan/mt on February 26, and the spot transactions rebounded. Currently, the downstream industries of refined nickel have fully resumed work, and the orders from alloy casting enterprises are relatively stable as they had restocked before CNY and maintained production in holiday.

Trading sentiment in China’s domestic nickel market was moderate, with SHFE nickel fluctuating.

Nickel Price Advances Following Production Cut News

The profitable import window for refined nickel was open for most of second month of September, a favorable factor for imports. 

With the opening of profitable import window for several days, premiums for Russian nickel in bonded area rose rapidly. 

On Tuesday, Jinchuan nickel was offered at premiums of RMB 800/mt over Wuxi’s 1710 nickel, and Russian nickel at premiums of RMB 250-300/mt over the same contract. 

Nickel price hovered at highs on Friday, and market caution ruled market trading sentiment, with small purchases by alloy and electroplating plants, Shanghai Metals Market learns. 

On Tuesday, downstream producers were not active in purchases despite price fallback from highs. Some traders chose to sell Russian nickel and buy Jinchuan nickel due to a smaller gap.

On Friday, trading picked up in China’s domestic nickel spot market as nickel fell back slightly from highs, Shanghai Metals Market learns. 

On Thursday’s morning business, premiums of Jinchuan nickel were down sharply after sharp gains in overnight trading.