SMM Morning Comments (Jan 2)

Published: Jan 2, 2018 09:41
SMM Morning Comments (Jan 2)

SHANGHAI, Jan 2 (SMM)-

Copper: LME copper is set to see a correction following 15 consecutive days of increase and bulls taking profits. While it is expected to trade at $7,180-7,320/mt today, the SHFE 1803 copper is expected to trade at 55,200-56,000 yuan/mt. Trading liquidity in the spot market is set to recover and we see discounts at 220-150 yuan/mt today.

Aluminium: LME aluminium set a new high before the New Year holiday with increased volatility.  We expect the contract to trade at $2,260-2,295/mt today and the SHFE aluminium at 15,250-15,500 yuan/mt. Spot discounts are to move at 370-330 yuan/mt.

Zinc: While lower zinc inventory at LME has supported the prices, funds entered the market despite holiday risk sent the contract up to $3,326/mt. Today it is expected to trade at $3,290-3,335/mt and drive SHFE zinc to 25,500-26,000 yuan/mt today. However, we see limited increase for the domestic  contract due to lacklustre fundamentals.

Nickel: LME nickel is expected to trade in a narrow range at high level today with the SHFE 1805 contract at 97,600-99,800 yuan/mt. Spot price is seen at 97,100-99,200 yuan/mt.

Tin: LME tin would test the support at $20,000/mt with upper pressure at $20,200/mt. SHFE tin, on the other hand, sees upper pressure at 146,000 yuan/mt and trading range at 144,000-146,000 yuan/mt.  Spot prices are supported by futures both at home and abroad and set to trade at 140,000-142,500 yuan/mt today.

Lead: SHFE lead are in stalemate with rather balanced market forces from both sides. It will keep rangebound in the near term.


For editorial queries, please contact Daisy Tseng at daisy@smm.cn 
For more information on how to access our research reports, please email service.en@smm.cn 


 

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM‘s internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or to learn more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn
For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn
Related News
Fed's Waller: Ready to Cut Rates if Labor Market Weakens, Cautious on Inflation Risks
Mar 21, 2026 16:40
Fed's Waller: Ready to Cut Rates if Labor Market Weakens, Cautious on Inflation Risks
Read More
Fed's Waller: Ready to Cut Rates if Labor Market Weakens, Cautious on Inflation Risks
Fed's Waller: Ready to Cut Rates if Labor Market Weakens, Cautious on Inflation Risks
US Fed Governor Christopher Waller said on Friday that if signs of weakness emerged in the labor market, he would again support an interest rate cut later this year, while remaining alert to the inflationary pressures that the current geopolitical situation may bring.Waller noted that a closure of the Strait of Hormuz signaled greater inflationary pressure, and that higher oil prices could ultimately affect core inflation. He stressed that the current cautious stance did not mean there would be no action for the rest of the year.His remarks sent an important signal to the market—that the window for an interest rate cut had not closed, provided that employment data showed clear weakening.
Mar 21, 2026 16:40
IRGC: US Carrier Ford's Deployment and Withdrawal Reflects "Desperate and Humiliating" Reality for US, Israel
Mar 21, 2026 16:39
IRGC: US Carrier Ford's Deployment and Withdrawal Reflects "Desperate and Humiliating" Reality for US, Israel
Read More
IRGC: US Carrier Ford's Deployment and Withdrawal Reflects "Desperate and Humiliating" Reality for US, Israel
IRGC: US Carrier Ford's Deployment and Withdrawal Reflects "Desperate and Humiliating" Reality for US, Israel
According to Xinhua News Agency, the Islamic Republic News Agency reported on the 20th that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a statement saying that, despite extensive attention from Western media, the US Navy aircraft carrier Ford was deployed to the West Asia region but failed to provide support for US forces there and instead withdrew from the battlefield, reflecting the “desperate and humiliating” reality facing the US and Israel.
Mar 21, 2026 16:39
US Treasury Secretary Bessent: SPR Release Complexity and Limits Amid Oil Price Stabilization Efforts
Mar 21, 2026 16:38
US Treasury Secretary Bessent: SPR Release Complexity and Limits Amid Oil Price Stabilization Efforts
Read More
US Treasury Secretary Bessent: SPR Release Complexity and Limits Amid Oil Price Stabilization Efforts
US Treasury Secretary Bessent: SPR Release Complexity and Limits Amid Oil Price Stabilization Efforts
US Treasury Secretary Bessent claimed that the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) could be tapped again to suppress oil prices, but the reality was far more complex than this statement suggested—the reserve level was already close to the statutory minimum, and physical safety constraints left extremely limited room for any further release.Last week, Bessent said that the US had participated in the largest internationally coordinated SPR release operation to date, totaling 400 million barrels, and warned that, if necessary, the US could once again unilaterally release reserves to stabilize oil prices.
Mar 21, 2026 16:38
SMM Morning Comments (Jan 2) - Shanghai Metals Market (SMM)