[SMM Analysis] the pressure on the supply side is greater & consumption is low and lead in Shanghai is in the doldrums.

Published: Apr 20, 2020 14:50

SMM4 20: although China cut interest rates again, but as the [SMM Weekly selected] prompt: "this time the domestic announcement of the LPR benchmark interest rate is highly likely to lower, but is expected to boost the market is limited." In terms of fundamentals, the supply of recycled lead and primary lead has increased, bringing incremental pressure on the supply side. Recently, the removal of domestic social inventory has slowed down, consumer orders outside Shanghai have begun to gradually reflect, and domestic expectations are weakening on the same month-to-month ratio. If you look at lead in a short variety, it is recommended to go short on the high side. " 。 Today, Shanghai lead has not been affected by the macro mood, and is still weak. Today, the Shanghai lead 2006 contract opened low and walked low, with an intraday low of 13555 yuan / tonne, closing at RMB / tonne as of 15:00 today, a decrease of%.

Specifically, the supply side, recycled lead, the overall profit of recycled lead is still good, according to SMM research, as of April 17, the production profit of recycled lead enterprises is 181 yuan / ton, it is expected that the supply of recycled lead will increase one after another. In the aspect of primary lead, although some smelters carry out maintenance, but the amount of influence is limited and close to May 1, the primary lead smelter will continue to produce and the pressure on the supply side is still large.

"Click to view the SMM lead industry chain database

Inventory, according to SMM research, as of April 17, SMM five lead ingot inventory to 10, 000 tons, compared with last week's change in the number of units, basically flat. Due to the lack of bright-eyed consumption of downstream lead batteries and the continued contribution of recycled lead to production, social inventories are expected to increase slightly this week.

On the consumer side, lead battery market consumption is not expected to improve for the time being, storage enterprises in order to avoid increasing inventory, more sales to fix production, in addition to the finished battery promotion superimposed May Day downstream storage enterprises or holidays, the market does not hold optimistic expectations for future consumption. As a result of the impact of the overseas epidemic, the automobile industry has been hit hard, resulting in a hindrance to the consumption of orders outside Shanghai. Overall, SMM believes that short-term Shanghai lead to interval shocks, continue to pay attention to inventory changes.

"Click to sign up for SMM" 2020 (15th) lead and Zinc Summit

Scan the QR code to sign up for the lead and zinc summit and fill in the personal information at the end of the page, and the conference staff will contact you later!

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
Lead Prices Stagnant, Smelters Maintain Firm Offers Amid Losses
Feb 6, 2026 19:50
Lead Prices Stagnant, Smelters Maintain Firm Offers Amid Losses
Read More
Lead Prices Stagnant, Smelters Maintain Firm Offers Amid Losses
Lead Prices Stagnant, Smelters Maintain Firm Offers Amid Losses
Lead prices were in the doldrums, while secondary lead smelters maintained firm offers due to losses. The mainstream spot order ex-factory prices including tax narrowed the discount to the SMM #1 lead average price by 100 yuan/mt, shifting to a premium of 0–25 yuan/mt, with some smelters halting offers and sales.
Feb 6, 2026 19:50
"Domestic Secondary Crude Lead Market Slows as Holidays Approach, Smelters Halt Production"
Feb 6, 2026 19:49
"Domestic Secondary Crude Lead Market Slows as Holidays Approach, Smelters Halt Production"
Read More
"Domestic Secondary Crude Lead Market Slows as Holidays Approach, Smelters Halt Production"
"Domestic Secondary Crude Lead Market Slows as Holidays Approach, Smelters Halt Production"
Pre-holiday stockpiling by downstream enterprises had largely concluded, and a few had already entered the holiday period, completely suspending procurement. Next week, secondary lead smelters will enter a concentrated wave of production halts and holidays, resulting in sluggish trading activity in the spot market. Offers for spot refined lead orders were sparse, with prices moving in line with the market.
Feb 6, 2026 19:49
Sluggish Transactions in Domestic Secondary Crude Lead Market, Prices at 15,250-15,400 Yuan/mt
Feb 6, 2026 19:48
Sluggish Transactions in Domestic Secondary Crude Lead Market, Prices at 15,250-15,400 Yuan/mt
Read More
Sluggish Transactions in Domestic Secondary Crude Lead Market, Prices at 15,250-15,400 Yuan/mt
Sluggish Transactions in Domestic Secondary Crude Lead Market, Prices at 15,250-15,400 Yuan/mt
The domestic secondary crude lead market experienced sluggish transactions. As of February 6, 2026, the ex-factory tax-exclusive offers for domestic secondary crude lead stood at 15,250-15,400 yuan/mt. Downstream refined lead and alloy smelters gradually entered the holiday period, showing weak stockpiling willingness. Overseas lead ingot suppliers basically halted transactions with China due to poor consumption in the Chinese market, with only some previously concluded shipments maintaining normal in-transit transportation. The trading atmosphere in the secondary crude lead market will continue to weaken next week.
Feb 6, 2026 19:48