TC of China’s Imported Crude Copper of Long-term Order in 2018

The SHFE and LME nickel prices diverged markedly in the afternoon trading on Tuesday. The SHFE/LME nickel price ratio shrank from 7.28 to 7.07. The import loss widened to $1,000/mt.

According to General Administration of Customs China imported 8.73 million mt of bauxite in December, up 13.32% month-on-month and 16.4% year-on-year.

The trades remained subdued, and the Yangshan copper premiums changed little. Many trading companies have closed their accounts and are busy with the year-end settlement, lacking purchasing interest for spot cargoes. Import losses fluctuated between 200-400 yuan/mt during the week against the January contract.

It is reported that a senior executive of China Minmetals Corporation on Tuesday called for the establishment of a joint organization of Chinese zinc smelters to negotiate with miners on zinc concentrate supply and pricing in the light of the existing joint negotiation group on copper raw materials in China. "We want to build a healthier market," he said. “The aim of this proposal is for Chinese zinc smelters to agree on a TC benchmark price for zinc concentrates in the future. We need more support from smelters now. "

Read-through of SMM Monthly PMI

Base Metals Diverge on Rising Supply and Delayed Demand Pickup

China's Elimination on Excess Capacity in Steel Continue to Act Positively

China’s Supply-Side Reform Continues to Reduce Capacity, Resulting in Lower Supply Marginal Elasticity vs. 2017

This week's update: Pay attention to SHFE Zinc

Where Will Steel Prices Go under the Long-and-Short Game?