SMM Copper Cathode Spot Prices, Nov 20

Global economy is recovering, and the US liquidity contraction is expected to strengthen. When the US dollar, measured by the constant value, appreciates, the absolute price of copper fell (relative concept); the depreciation of the non-US currency suppressed purchase demand and also suppressed demand. The appreciation of the US dollar improves the production enthusiasm of non-US copper-producing regions. As copper is priced in US dollar, the appreciation of the US dollar will lower the production costs. Most of the copper-producing areas are in South America and Southeast Asia.

Shanghai base metals traded mixed after opening on Thursday morning, as Fed failed to set a timeline for tapering asset purchase, and COVID-19 pandemic made a comeback. Meanwhile, their counterparts on LME mostly went up.

SHFE copper prices rallied from lows last week. Prices edged up from 67,500 yuan/mt and tested the 70,000 yuan/mt mark on Friday. European and US stock markets plunged sharply on Tuesday evening amid market concerns over the Delta strain, while SHFE copper prices opened lower.

Shanghai base metals were mostly lower on Tuesday morning as investors awaited the release of China's trade data for June. Meanwhile, their counterparts on the LME also fell for the most part.

SMM data showed that the stocks rose 4,200 mt from the prior week to 439,800 mt as of Friday July 9.

This is a roundup of China's metals weekly inventory as of July 9.

SHFE nonferrous metals, except for lead, closed higher on US-China trade thaw

China’s copper scrap imports in Jul hit the highest monthly level so far this year

SMM Morning Comments

Stocks shrank 9,200 mt from a week ago to 480,300 mt as of Friday Aug 17