[SMM brief Review] Metal mostly floats red in the morning, only Shanghai nickel is under pressure. In the afternoon, the nickel market leaves the market and turns positive.

Published: May 18, 2020 16:50

SMM, May 18:

In terms of Shanghai Nickel, basic metals are generally red upstream today, while Shanghai Nickel is still under pressure today after it was crushed by short sellers on Friday and was not able to turn red until the afternoon. The main contract of Shanghai Nickel 2007 opened at 98410 yuan / ton today. After the morning market opened, bears reduced their positions. After Shanghai Nickel quickly recovered its 60-day moving average, it stabilized at 99000 yuan / ton. After that, the long and short sides competed near the middle track of the Bollinger Line. Most of the day fluctuated in a narrow range around 99300 yuan / ton. In the afternoon, after the short-sellers gradually weakened, Shanghai Nickel was able to break through the 100, 000 mark, reaching as high as 100350 yuan / ton, but after a short stay, both sides avoided danger and left the market. Shanghai Nickel gave back part of the increase to close at 99860 yuan / ton, up 90 yuan / ton, or 0.09%. Daily position decreased by 948 lots to 99467 lots, and trading volume decreased by 7846 lots to 665000 lots. After 4 consecutive shades in the early days of Shanghai Nickel, Zhongyang column was recorded today, and the shadow line hit the 20-day moving average. Although there is some short-term pressure above 100,000, if Shanghai Nickel can sit on the 60-day moving average, with the macro mood boosted by the domestic "two sessions" this week, Shanghai Nickel is still expected to recover to near the 10-day moving average.

For more information, please subscribe to SMM Nickel Research Group products "China Ni-Cr stainless Steel Industry chain routine report" and "China Ni-Cr stainless Steel Industry chain High-end report" to get the latest data analysis and market analysis of nickel ore, nickel pig iron (China + Indonesia), electrolytic nickel, nickel sulfate, chromium ore, ferrochrome and stainless steel (China + Indonesia). For order and trial, please call 021 tel 5166 6780 QQ: 2880 505538, contact: Zhao Ming)

Click to register: "2020 (Fifth) China International Nickel, Cobalt and Lithium Summit Forum"

To sign up for the Nickel-Cobalt-Lithium Summit or apply to join the SMM New Energy vehicle / Cobalt-Lithium Industry Exchange Group, please scan the QR code below:

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
High-Grade NPI Smelter Profits Squeezed as Ore Prices Rise and Sales Prices Dip
Feb 7, 2026 16:41
High-Grade NPI Smelter Profits Squeezed as Ore Prices Rise and Sales Prices Dip
Read More
High-Grade NPI Smelter Profits Squeezed as Ore Prices Rise and Sales Prices Dip
High-Grade NPI Smelter Profits Squeezed as Ore Prices Rise and Sales Prices Dip
[SMM Nickel Flash] Based on nickel ore prices from 25 days ago, smelter profits for high-grade NPI remained high this week. However, from the current raw material side, ore prices from both the Philippines and Indonesia increased, while auxiliary material prices saw a slight pullback, leading to an increase in the cash cost of producing high-grade NPI from spot ore. At the same time, high-grade NPI prices experienced some pullback, making it difficult for smelter profits to see sustained improvement.
Feb 7, 2026 16:41
High-Grade NPI Prices Fall, Expected to Stabilize as Chinese New Year Approaches
Feb 7, 2026 16:40
High-Grade NPI Prices Fall, Expected to Stabilize as Chinese New Year Approaches
Read More
High-Grade NPI Prices Fall, Expected to Stabilize as Chinese New Year Approaches
High-Grade NPI Prices Fall, Expected to Stabilize as Chinese New Year Approaches
[SMM Nickel Flash] This week, due to a sharp decline in futures triggering arbitrage selling, high-grade NPI prices fell significantly. However, after the selling activity subsided, upstream quotations and the market center gradually returned to normal levels, supported by cost factors. Looking ahead, as the Chinese New Year holiday approaches, market activity is expected to remain subdued, and high-grade NPI prices are projected to hover at highs with limited fluctuations.
Feb 7, 2026 16:40
Nickel Prices Drop: SMM 10-12% High-Grade NPI Down 17.2 Yuan, Indonesia NPI FOB Index Falls 2.06 $/mtu
Feb 7, 2026 16:39
Nickel Prices Drop: SMM 10-12% High-Grade NPI Down 17.2 Yuan, Indonesia NPI FOB Index Falls 2.06 $/mtu
Read More
Nickel Prices Drop: SMM 10-12% High-Grade NPI Down 17.2 Yuan, Indonesia NPI FOB Index Falls 2.06 $/mtu
Nickel Prices Drop: SMM 10-12% High-Grade NPI Down 17.2 Yuan, Indonesia NPI FOB Index Falls 2.06 $/mtu
[SMM Nickel Flash] The SMM average price of 10-12% high-grade NPI fell 17.2 yuan/mtu WoW to 1,035.8 yuan/mtu (ex-factory, tax included), while the Indonesia NPI FOB index average price dropped 2.06 $/mtu WoW to 131.2 $/mtu. At the beginning of the week, futures hit limit-down, and nickel prices fell sharply WoW, driving the emergence of arbitrage supplies sold at low prices, leading to a significant decline in high-grade NPI prices.
Feb 7, 2026 16:39