Regular production, quiet consumption grow social inventories of primary lead

SHANGHAI, Feb 11 (SMM) – Social inventories of primary lead across Shanghai and Guangdong grew 10,800 mt from Friday February 1 to 16,200 mt as of Monday February 11, SMM data showed.

During the Chinese New Year holiday, most smelters maintained normal production even as some in Henan, Hunan and Yunnan provinces suspended for maintenance. Lead-acid battery producers also suspended for the holiday and stopped purchasing lead ingot.

Stable supplies and stagnant consumption grew social inventories. Inventories are likely to expand again this week as the holiday season continues and as some downstream consumers have not resumed.