SMM Evening Comments (Sep 19)

Published: Sep 19, 2019 18:31
SHFE nonferrous metals ended mixed on Thursday with nickel the best performer

SHANGHAI, Sep 19 (SMM) – SHFE nonferrous metals ended mixed on Thursday September 19 with nickel the best performer, rising 0.59% on the day. Lead grew 0.45%, tin advanced 0.19%, while copper eased 0.38%, aluminium fell 0.81%, and zinc lost 0.97%. 

The ferrous complex extended their declines as iron ore tumbled 4.64%, rebar fell 3.3%, hot-rolled coil shed 2.83%, and coke went down 1.13%.

Copper: The most-liquid SHFE November contract pulled back from a slight rebound in the previous session, weighed by concerns about global growth. Prices also faced pressure from a firm US dollar, given a more hawkish than forecast tone from Wednesday’s Federal Reserve meeting. The contract relinquished gains from the daytime and ended down 0.38% at 47,070 yuan/mt. As the MACD red line shortened and the KDJ indicators expanded downwards, which suggested little technical support, the contract may struggle to hold above 47,000 yuan/mt tonight. 

Aluminium: As longs continued to cover their positions, the most-active SHFE November contract extended losses from the previous three sessions, ending down 0.81% on the day at 14,135 yuan/mt. Social inventories of primary aluminium in China fell for the fourth straight week as of Thursday, suggesting decent downstream consumption. Tonight, the contract may hover rangebound between 14,100-14,300 yuan/mt. 

Zinc: The most-traded SHFE November contract climbed in the afternoon session but pressure from the 10-day moving average and a weakened LME zinc stopped its increases at 19,090 yuan/mt, before it closed 0.97% lower at 18,950 yuan/mt. Pressure above from the 10-day moving average should continue to be monitored tonight. 

Nickel: The most-liquid SHFE November contract extended a slow rally from the previous session as it closed up 0.59% at 136,420 yuan/mt. Loaded-up longs prevented the prices from dipping further below 135,440 yuan/mt. The contract held above the 20-day moving average but strong resistance was seen from 137,000 yuan/mt. Tonight, it may trade between 135,600-137,000 yuan/mt. 

Lead: The most-traded SHFE November contract rebounded from a low of 16,750 yuan/mt, but limited upward momentum only sent it up 0.45% to finish at 16,855 yuan/mt. On-warrant lead stocks across SHFE-listed warehouses shrank nearly 5,300 mt during the latest two sessions, indicating high purchasing enthusiasm on lower prices. This, coupled with a rebounded LME lead, may boost confidence in longs and see the contract testing resistance from 17,000 yuan/mt tonight. 

Tin: The most-liquid SHFE January 2020 contract traded in a tight range today, with a high of 137,600 yuan/mt, ending up 0.19% at 137,360 yuan/mt. A weaker LME tin is likely to see it testing support from the 60-day moving average, or 135,800 yuan/mt tonight. 

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.

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SMM Evening Comments (Sep 19) - Shanghai Metals Market (SMM)