SMM Evening Comments (Sep 21): Shanghai nonferrous metals closed mostly higher, nickel fell 1.99%

Published: Sep 21, 2020 17:41
SHFE nonferrous metals rose for the most part on Monday September 21 as investors monitored progress toward a new coronavirus relief bill.

SHANGHAI, Sep 21 (SMM) — SHFE nonferrous metals rose for the most part on Monday September 21 as investors monitored progress toward a new coronavirus relief bill.

 

U.S. government debt prices were mixed in the early hours of Monday morning, with investors monitoring progress toward a new coronavirus relief bill and a slew of Federal Reserve speakers scheduled this week.

 

At around 2:05 a.m. ET, the yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note was lower at 0.6871% and the yield on the 30-year Treasury bond was up marginally at 1.4551%. Yields move inversely to prices.

 

Lead, the best performer, rose 1.99%, aluminium advanced 0.58%, zinc climbed 0.13%, tin went up 1.87% and copper gained 0.37%, while nickel edged down 1.99%.

 

SMM data showed that social inventories of refined zinc ingots across Shanghai, Tianjin, Guangdong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shandong and Hebei fell 700 from last Friday September 18 to 160,100 mt as of Monday September 21. The stocks were down 6,100 mt from last Monday September 14.

 

The ferrous complex fell across the board. Hot-rolled coil fell 1.37%, rebar shed 1.59% and iron ore went down 2.88%.

 

Copper: Long positions of 2011 contract has exceeded that of 2010 contract today, and SHFE Copper has gradually completed the rolling.

The most-traded SHFE 2011 copper contract finished the day 0.37% higher at 52,190 yuan/mt today. The contract opened higher and went lower as oil prices dropped. Combined with China’s one-year and five-year Loan Prime Rate (LPR) announced by the People's Bank of China (PBOC) today the same as that of the previous period, investors' risk aversion rebounded, which also limited the increase of copper prices to a certain extent. Whether the contract could maintain its upward trend will come under scrutiny tonight.

 

Aluminium: The most-liquid SHFE 2010 aluminium contract closed up 0.58% at 14,665 yuan/mt. Open interest fell 1,266 lots to 12,000 lots. The transfer of main contract long positions and the flow of the fund will come under scrutiny in late September.

 

Zinc: The most-active SHFE 2011 zinc contract fell to an intraday low of 19,785 yuan/mt and finished the day 0.13% higher at 19,820 yuan/mt. The contract generated a V-shaped movement on Monday. Open interest rose 2,139 lots to 77,339 lots. High zinc prices suppressed the consumption and the upward momentum of zinc prices is temporarily limited. However, the higher US dollar index in European trading hours suppressed the commodity trend, and the contact is expected to fall slightly tonight.

 

Nickel: The most-traded SHFE 2011 nickel contract finished the day 1.99% weaker at 114,100 yuan/mt today. Open interest rose 1,780 lots to 117,855 lots. The contract is expected to trade between 114,000-120,000 yuan/mt this week.

 

Lead: The most-traded SHFE 2010 lead contract climbed to an intraday high of 15,450 yuan/mt in afternoon trading and finished the day 1.99% higher at 15,370 yuan/mt. Open interest fell 3,719 lots to 15,147 lots. The downstream consumption of fundamentals is sluggish with limited upward momentum of lead prices. Whether the contract could move above 15,400 yuan/mt will be watched tonight.

 

Tin: The most-liquid SHFE 2011 tin contract ended 1.87% higher at 145,050 yuan/mt today. Open interest fell 1,817 lots to 21,016 lots. Demand is improved before the National Day holidays, with active market sentiment. Pressure above is expected to around 148,000 yuan/mt.

 

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
Rio Tinto Halts Kennecott Copper Mine Operations After Worker Fatality, Awaits Investigation
19 hours ago
Rio Tinto Halts Kennecott Copper Mine Operations After Worker Fatality, Awaits Investigation
Read More
Rio Tinto Halts Kennecott Copper Mine Operations After Worker Fatality, Awaits Investigation
Rio Tinto Halts Kennecott Copper Mine Operations After Worker Fatality, Awaits Investigation
Following a worker fatality on March 12, Rio Tinto suspended operations at its Kennecott copper mine in Utah, US. In a statement posted on its official website, Rio Tinto said that all surface and underground mining operations at Kennecott (also known as Bingham Canyon Mine) had been suspended. Chief Executive Officer Simon Trott said the company was working closely with the relevant authorities and contractor partners to support a full and thorough investigation.
19 hours ago
First Quantum to Sell Turkey's Çayeli Mine to Cengiz for $340M, Awaits Regulatory Approval
19 hours ago
First Quantum to Sell Turkey's Çayeli Mine to Cengiz for $340M, Awaits Regulatory Approval
Read More
First Quantum to Sell Turkey's Çayeli Mine to Cengiz for $340M, Awaits Regulatory Approval
First Quantum to Sell Turkey's Çayeli Mine to Cengiz for $340M, Awaits Regulatory Approval
Canada-based First Quantum Minerals will sell its Çayeli mine in Turkey to Cengiz Holding for $340 million in cash as part of its portfolio optimization strategy.Cengiz Holding will acquire the underground copper-zinc mine through its subsidiary CengizInsaat.First Quantum Chief Executive Officer Tristan Pascall said, "The sale reflects the company's disciplined approach to portfolio management while focusing on its core strategic priorities."The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to be completed in Q2 or Q3 of this year.
19 hours ago
Khark Island Attack Foiled: Defense Restored, Oil Operations Unaffected, No Casualties Reported
19 hours ago
Khark Island Attack Foiled: Defense Restored, Oil Operations Unaffected, No Casualties Reported
Read More
Khark Island Attack Foiled: Defense Restored, Oil Operations Unaffected, No Casualties Reported
Khark Island Attack Foiled: Defense Restored, Oil Operations Unaffected, No Casualties Reported
The situation on Khark Island has been brought under control, and the defense system was restarted shortly after coming under attack. According to reports, following the attack on Khark Island, preliminary observation and assessment found that the island’s critical oil infrastructure sustained no damage, and related operations are continuing. All employees in the oil sector on Khark Island were unharmed. Citing informed sources, the report said that the attackers failed to achieve their intended strategic objectives.
19 hours ago
SMM Evening Comments (Sep 21): Shanghai nonferrous metals closed mostly higher, nickel fell 1.99% - Shanghai Metals Market (SMM)