Pure Nickel Spot Trading was Slack amid the High Futures Prices

Published: Aug 1, 2022 11:39
Source: SMM
On August 1, spot premiums of Jinchuan nickel were 12,000-13,000 yuan/mt, with the average price standing at 12,500 /mt, up 6,250 yuan/mt from the previous trading day.

SHANGHAI, Aug 1 (SMM) - On August 1, spot premiums of Jinchuan nickel were 12,000-13,000 yuan/mt, with the average price standing at 12,500 /mt, up 6,250 yuan/mt from the previous trading day. Premiums of NORNICKEL nickel stood at 11,500-12,000 yuan/mt. The average price was 11,750 yuan/mt, an increase of 7,600 yuan/mt from the previous trading day. Today, the contract was switched to the SHFE 2209 nickel contract, and affected by the high nickel prices, the spot trading was slack.  The prices of nickel briquettes were 188,600-189,600 yuan/mt, up 10,600 yuan/mt from the previous trading day. The nickel briquettes trading was slack as the futures prices rose and the cost efficiency of nickel briquettes was lower. Besides, at present, the mainstream raw material of alloy is still nickel plate, further leading to the poor nickel briquettes trading.
 

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 Smelters Face Profit Pressure Amid Flat Raw Material Prices and Limited Nickel Ore Decline
Apr 3, 2026 19:34
High-Grade NPI Smelters Face Profit Pressure Amid Flat Raw Material Prices and Limited Nickel Ore Decline
Read More
High-Grade NPI Smelters Face Profit Pressure Amid Flat Raw Material Prices and Limited Nickel Ore Decline
High-Grade NPI Smelters Face Profit Pressure Amid Flat Raw Material Prices and Limited Nickel Ore Decline
[SMM Nickel Flash News] Based on the cash cost of high-grade NPI calculated using nickel ore prices from 25 days earlier, profits at high-grade NPI smelters came under pressure during the week, with the sector as a whole remaining in a state of losses or marginal profitability. It is expected that next week, prices of auxiliary materials on the raw material side may remain flat, while the decline in nickel ore prices will likely be limited. High-grade NPI prices will still be under pressure amid back-and-forth negotiations between upstream and downstream, and smelter profits will be unlikely to see any significant improvement.
Apr 3, 2026 19:34
Refined Nickel Prices Decline, High-Grade NPI Discount Narrows; Downward Trend Expected to Continue
Apr 3, 2026 19:31
Refined Nickel Prices Decline, High-Grade NPI Discount Narrows; Downward Trend Expected to Continue
Read More
Refined Nickel Prices Decline, High-Grade NPI Discount Narrows; Downward Trend Expected to Continue
Refined Nickel Prices Decline, High-Grade NPI Discount Narrows; Downward Trend Expected to Continue
[SMM Nickel Flash] This week, the price center of refined nickel moved lower, while high-grade NPI prices remained stable. The average discount of high-grade NPI against refined nickel narrowed to 262.4 yuan/nickel unit. High-grade NPI prices were expected to remain under pressure next week, while refined nickel prices were expected to continue their downward trend. The average discount of high-grade NPI against refined nickel was expected to continue narrowing, and the driver for conversion of NPI to high-grade nickel matte weakened.
Apr 3, 2026 19:31
SMM Nickel Flash: High-Grade NPI Prices Drop, Market Enters Negotiation Phase
Apr 3, 2026 19:30
SMM Nickel Flash: High-Grade NPI Prices Drop, Market Enters Negotiation Phase
Read More
SMM Nickel Flash: High-Grade NPI Prices Drop, Market Enters Negotiation Phase
SMM Nickel Flash: High-Grade NPI Prices Drop, Market Enters Negotiation Phase
[SMM Nickel Flash] The average SMM price of 10-12% high-grade NPI fell WoW by 1 yuan/nickel unit to 1,082.5 yuan/nickel unit (ex-factory, tax included), while the average price of Indonesia's NPI FOB index fell WoW by $0.02/nickel unit to $136.58/nickel unit. The high-grade NPI market generally remained stable, and after the transaction center stabilized, the market entered a state of back-and-forth negotiations between upstream and downstream, with prices under pressure in the short term.
Apr 3, 2026 19:30