SMM Morning Comments (Mar 6)

Published: Mar 6, 2018 09:57
SMM Morning Comments

SHANGHAI, Mar 6 (SMM) –

Copper: We see an upward room in copper prices as downstream consumption continues to recover and sellers are keen to destock. LME copper is expected to trade at $6,890-6,970 mt with SHFE at 52,000-52,700 yuan/mt today.

Aluminium: LME aluminium is facing increasing downward pressure but support was seen at the five-day moving average. We expect it to trade at $2,135-2,160/mt today with SHFE aluminium rangebound at 14,250-14,450 yuan/mt. Spot discounts are seen at 170-130 yuan/mt.

Zinc: A jump in LME zinc inventory led the contract to touch a low at $3,273.5/mt overnight. Market sentiment remained cautious as neither technical nor fundamental side provides support for LME zinc, which is expected to trade at $3,275-3,325/mt today. In China, SHFE zinc is to move at 25,150-25,600 yuan/mt today with sluggish recovery of consumption.

Nickel: Nickel prices continue to face pressure due to a weak stainless steel market in China. We expect LME nickel to edge down today with the SHFE 1805 contract to trade at 101,000-102,800 yuan/mt. Spot prices are expected at 100,300-102,000 yuan/mt.

Lead: LME lead touched a two-month low and tested the $2,400/mt level following a slump in zinc prices and a rangebound US dollar. We expect it to remain rangebound today while SHFE lead is to test support at the 60-day moving average.

Tin: LME tin stayed rangebound with support at $21,000/mt and resistance at $22,000/mt overnight, while SHFE tin fell slightly. We expect SHFE tin to trade at 146,500-148,000 yuan/mt today. In the physical market, spot prices are seen at 145,000-147,000 yuan/mt under the pressure from high inventories of low prices.

 


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