SMM Morning Comments (Jun 30): Shanghai base metals rose across the board as global investors looked to US jobs data

Published: Jun 30, 2021 10:00
Shanghai base metals were mostly higher on Wednesday morning as global investors monitored the spread of the delta Covid-19 variant and awaited key economic data out of the US. Meanwhile, their counterparts on the LME also rose for the most part.

SHANGHAI, Jun 30 (SMM) — Shanghai base metals were mostly higher on Wednesday morning as global investors monitored the spread of the delta Covid-19 variant and awaited key economic data out of the US. Meanwhile, their counterparts on the LME also rose for the most part.

Shanghai base metals all closed higher in overnight trading. Copper rose 0.1%, zinc increased 0.66%, aluminium added 0.16%, nickel jumped 1.05%, lead advanced 2% and tin went up 0.2%.

The LME complex ended mostly higher on Tuesday. Zinc added 0.89%, aluminium rose 0.04%, tin increased 0.63%, lead went up 2.12% and nickel strengthened 0.57%, while copper fell 0.5%.

Copper: Three-month LME copper fell 0.51% to end at $9,346.5/mt on Tuesday, and is likely to trade between $9,310-9,400/mt today.

The most-active SHFE 2108 copper contract went down 0.06% to close at 68,220 yuan/mt in overnight trading, and it is expected to move between 68,100-68,700 yuan/mt today, while spot prices will be seen at premiums 30 yuan/mt – discounts 70 yuan/mt.

Overnight US economic data showed that the consumer confidence index hit a new high since the pandemic in June, and the house price index rose the most in more than 30 years in April. At the same time, with the economic restart, the economic confidence index of the euro zone rose to the highest level in more than 20 years in June. Under the optimistic expectation of the market for economic recovery, US stocks hit a record high again. However, last night, the US dollar index was affected by the rising yield of 10-year US Treasury bonds and the unexpected stimulation of the consumer confidence index of the Consultative Conference, which moved above 92 and brought some pressure on copper futures.

Zinc: Three-month LME zinc rose 0.89% to close at $2,946/mt on Tuesday. Zinc stocks at LME-listed warehouses fell 1,000 mt to 254,675 mt. Overnight, nonferrous metals generally rose, as economic data showed that the US house price and consumer confidence index rose strongly, and the house price rose the most in more than 30 years in April, boosting market optimism. The June nonfarm payrolls report released this week should be monitored. The contract is likely to trade between $2,920-2,970/mt today.

The most-liquid SHFE 2108 zinc contract rose 1.05% to end at 22,050 yuan/mt in overnight trading. Overnight, the upward movement of the LME zinc drove SHFE zinc to perform strongly. At present, domestic zinc ingot inventories are low, and the overseas demand is rising steadily. At the same time, the macro sentiment is restored, which boosts zinc prices. However, the medium-and long-term domestic fundamental pattern of increasing supply and decreasing demand does not change, which is expected to limit the upward height of zinc prices. It is expected that zinc prices will rise and fall back today. The SHFE zinc contract is expected to move between 21,600-22,100 yuan/mt today, while spot premiums for domestic 0# Shuangyan will be 140-150 yuan/mt.

Nickel: The most-active SHFE 2108 nickel contract rose 1.05% to close at 136,980 yuan/mt on Tuesday. Open interests rose 6,478 lots to 139,000 lots.

Three-month LME nickel climbed 0.57% to close at $18,395/mt on Tuesday. Open interests fell 402 lots to 214,000 lots.

At present, there is no obvious long position and short position factor in nickel fundamentals, and spot transactions are mainly weak. It is expected that nickel prices will still fluctuate widely.

Lead: Three-month LME lead settled 2.12% higher at $2,290.5/mt on Tuesday. Whether the contract could maintain its upward trend and stand firm above $2,300/mt will be monitored today.

The most-active SHFE 2108 lead contract went up 2% to close at 15,780 yuan/mt on Tuesday night. Trading activity in the domestic lead effect market is average, downstream purchasing is limited, and lead futures have risen sharply, which may bring enthusiasm for warehouse delivery and expectation for increasing stocks. The contract will test pressure from 15,800 yuan/mt today.

Tin: Three-month LME tin closed up 0.63% at $31,360/mt on Tuesday. Overall, the commodities strengthened, while LME tin maintained its upward trend. Fundamental shortage of overseas supply supported the contract's high-level operation. It is expected that the contract will run at a high level in the near term, Pressure above will be seen from $31,500/mt today. Support below will be seen from $30,500/mt today.

The most-liquid SHFE 2108 tin contract rose 0.2% to close at 211,140 yuan/mt on Tuesday night. Pressure above will be seen from 213,000 yuan/mt today. Support below will be seen from 208,000 yuan/mt today.

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
"Premier Li Qiang Leads State Council Meeting on Enhancing Effective Investment, Boosting Economic Growth"
Feb 6, 2026 23:56
"Premier Li Qiang Leads State Council Meeting on Enhancing Effective Investment, Boosting Economic Growth"
Read More
"Premier Li Qiang Leads State Council Meeting on Enhancing Effective Investment, Boosting Economic Growth"
"Premier Li Qiang Leads State Council Meeting on Enhancing Effective Investment, Boosting Economic Growth"
Premier Li Qiang presided over an executive meeting of the State Council to study policy measures for promoting effective investment. The meeting noted that promoting effective investment plays an important role in stabilizing economic growth and strengthening momentum for development. It is necessary to innovate and improve policy measures, and intensify efforts to enhance the efficiency of utilizing funds such as central budget investments, ultra-long-term special treasury bonds, local government special bonds, and new-type policy-based financial instruments. In conjunction with formulating and implementing the 15th Five-Year Plan
Feb 6, 2026 23:56
"Guided by Xi Jinping Thought, Implement 20th CPC Congress Spirit, Apply New Development Philosophy...
Feb 6, 2026 23:54
"Guided by Xi Jinping Thought, Implement 20th CPC Congress Spirit, Apply New Development Philosophy...
Read More
"Guided by Xi Jinping Thought, Implement 20th CPC Congress Spirit, Apply New Development Philosophy...
"Guided by Xi Jinping Thought, Implement 20th CPC Congress Spirit, Apply New Development Philosophy...
Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we will thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the plenary sessions of the Party’s 20th Central Committee, fully and faithfully apply the new development philosophy, strengthen top-level design, build computing power interconnection nodes oriented toward national hub periods, major strategic regions, and key industries, establish a system of computing power interconnection nodes, improve the efficiency and service level of public computing power resources, and promote high-quality development of computing power.
Feb 6, 2026 23:54
Indirect Iran-US Nuclear Talks in Muscat Show Progress, Omani FM Mediates Tense but Efficient Discussions
Feb 6, 2026 23:47
Indirect Iran-US Nuclear Talks in Muscat Show Progress, Omani FM Mediates Tense but Efficient Discussions
Read More
Indirect Iran-US Nuclear Talks in Muscat Show Progress, Omani FM Mediates Tense but Efficient Discussions
Indirect Iran-US Nuclear Talks in Muscat Show Progress, Omani FM Mediates Tense but Efficient Discussions
After intensive indirect consultations, the new round of nuclear talks between Iran and the US in Muscat, the capital of Oman, has achieved phased progress. It is reported that during this round of talks, the Iranian and US delegations did not meet directly. Instead, Omani Foreign Minister Badr acted as an intermediary, conveying a series of core proposals, strategic concerns, and policy positions to the other side. The atmosphere at the talks was tense yet efficient. According to preliminary on-site assessments, although both sides continue to negotiate over specific terms, they have reached a consensus on the key objective of "continuing dialogue."
Feb 6, 2026 23:47