SMM Evening Comments (Jan 16)

Published: Jan 16, 2018 18:15
SMM Evening Comments (Jan 16)

SHANGHAI, Jan 16 (SMM)-Nonferrous metals futures were weak on Tuesday afternoon, with aluminium dropping nearly 3% and nickel down 1.8%. Lead was down 1% and copper down 0.7%. Tin also dropped slightly.

The ferrous complex also dropped in the afternoon. Coking coal dropped almost 4% and iron ore dropped 1.6%. Coke slipped 1.5% and hot-rolled coil dropped slightly. Rebar edged up slightly at closing.

Copper: Copper saw an outflow of 705 million yuan today, as investors scaled back their bullish bets. Prices are expected to move downwards. Investors should monitor the supporting strength at the 60-day moving average.

Aluminium: We saw bulls close out their positions and SHFE aluminium hit a low of 14,725 yuan/mt today. We expect the downward trend to continue in the short term. 

Lead: SHFE lead fell and broke through all moving averages today as investors put on more bearish bets. The contract is likely to see rangebound trading tonight.

Nickel: Nickel saw an outflow of 240 million yuan today, and is expected to trade lower to test supporting strength at the 20-day moving average. There is little news on macro level tonight.

Zinc: LME zinc dipped while SHFE zinc fell sharply. Light trade in the off season is expected due to accumulated inventories and lower consumption. In addition, some companies in north China have closed for Chinese New Year and this will restrict the rising range. SHFE zinc is expected to trade around 26,000 yuan/mt tonight.

Tin: We expect tin to trade under pressure and test support strength at 144,000 yuan/mt tonight.


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
"Premier Li Qiang Leads State Council Meeting on Enhancing Effective Investment, Boosting Economic Growth"
Feb 6, 2026 23:56
"Premier Li Qiang Leads State Council Meeting on Enhancing Effective Investment, Boosting Economic Growth"
Read More
"Premier Li Qiang Leads State Council Meeting on Enhancing Effective Investment, Boosting Economic Growth"
"Premier Li Qiang Leads State Council Meeting on Enhancing Effective Investment, Boosting Economic Growth"
Premier Li Qiang presided over an executive meeting of the State Council to study policy measures for promoting effective investment. The meeting noted that promoting effective investment plays an important role in stabilizing economic growth and strengthening momentum for development. It is necessary to innovate and improve policy measures, and intensify efforts to enhance the efficiency of utilizing funds such as central budget investments, ultra-long-term special treasury bonds, local government special bonds, and new-type policy-based financial instruments. In conjunction with formulating and implementing the 15th Five-Year Plan
Feb 6, 2026 23:56
"Guided by Xi Jinping Thought, Implement 20th CPC Congress Spirit, Apply New Development Philosophy...
Feb 6, 2026 23:54
"Guided by Xi Jinping Thought, Implement 20th CPC Congress Spirit, Apply New Development Philosophy...
Read More
"Guided by Xi Jinping Thought, Implement 20th CPC Congress Spirit, Apply New Development Philosophy...
"Guided by Xi Jinping Thought, Implement 20th CPC Congress Spirit, Apply New Development Philosophy...
Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we will thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the plenary sessions of the Party’s 20th Central Committee, fully and faithfully apply the new development philosophy, strengthen top-level design, build computing power interconnection nodes oriented toward national hub periods, major strategic regions, and key industries, establish a system of computing power interconnection nodes, improve the efficiency and service level of public computing power resources, and promote high-quality development of computing power.
Feb 6, 2026 23:54
Indirect Iran-US Nuclear Talks in Muscat Show Progress, Omani FM Mediates Tense but Efficient Discussions
Feb 6, 2026 23:47
Indirect Iran-US Nuclear Talks in Muscat Show Progress, Omani FM Mediates Tense but Efficient Discussions
Read More
Indirect Iran-US Nuclear Talks in Muscat Show Progress, Omani FM Mediates Tense but Efficient Discussions
Indirect Iran-US Nuclear Talks in Muscat Show Progress, Omani FM Mediates Tense but Efficient Discussions
After intensive indirect consultations, the new round of nuclear talks between Iran and the US in Muscat, the capital of Oman, has achieved phased progress. It is reported that during this round of talks, the Iranian and US delegations did not meet directly. Instead, Omani Foreign Minister Badr acted as an intermediary, conveying a series of core proposals, strategic concerns, and policy positions to the other side. The atmosphere at the talks was tense yet efficient. According to preliminary on-site assessments, although both sides continue to negotiate over specific terms, they have reached a consensus on the key objective of "continuing dialogue."
Feb 6, 2026 23:47