SMM Daily Comments (May 4): Coking Coal and Oil Prices Plunge, SHFE Nickel Soar, Gold Hit Record High

Published: May 4, 2023 17:08
Source: SMM
Crude oil futures opened lower but moved higher today. WTI oil hit the lowest of $63.64 per barrel since December 2, 2021.

Crude oil futures opened lower but moved higher today. WTI oil hit the lowest of $63.64 per barrel since December 2, 2021.

As of 15:28 CST, WTI oil rose 0.66% and Brent oil rose 1%. Near the end of the Asian trading session, the US dollar rose slightly, and as of 15:32, the US dollar index was flat.

As of the closing of the intraday trading, SHFE nickel jumped 2.85%, SHFE tin rose 0.8%, SHFE lead rose 0.75%, SHFE copper advanced 0.03%; SHFE aluminium fell 0.14%, SHFE zinc dipped 0.47%,

Stainless steel prices rose 1.74%.

In terms of precious metals, Shanghai gold once hit a record high of 459.98 yuan/g, closing up 2.25%; Shanghai silver closed 3.08% higher.

SMM Daily Comments (Apr 25): LME Base Metals Prices Fall across the Board, Coke Prices Plunge, Oil Posts 3-day Winning Streak

As of 15:40, COMEX gold rose 0.27%, hitting a new intraday high of $2,085.4 per ounce since August 7, 2020, and COMEX silver rose 0.39%.

Most LME metals gained ground. As of 15:40 CST, LME aluminium prices climbed 0.09%, LME lead rose 0.35%, LME nickel went up 0.65%, LME copper rose 1.26%, LME zinc fell 0.21%, and LME tin fell 3%.

Goldman Sachs, Trafigura See Copper Price Skyrocketing to All-Time High, Citing Stocking Out

Weak Electric Vehicle Pricing Will Spread To New Car Market, Analyst Says

JP Morgan Chase, Citigroup and Deutsche Bank See US Recession in the Cards

Rio Tinto: Pilbara Iron Ore Shipments Hit All-Time High in the First Quarter, Copper Output at 145,000 mt

Goldman Sachs: European Central Bank to Raise Interest Rates Three Times, Ups Forecast for Peak Interest Rate

IEA: Global Electric Vehicle Sales Proliferated in 2022, China Led the Growth

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
Venezuela Passes Mining Bill to Attract Foreign and Private Investment, Easing US Restrictions
Apr 10, 2026 21:56
Venezuela Passes Mining Bill to Attract Foreign and Private Investment, Easing US Restrictions
Read More
Venezuela Passes Mining Bill to Attract Foreign and Private Investment, Easing US Restrictions
Venezuela Passes Mining Bill to Attract Foreign and Private Investment, Easing US Restrictions
Venezuela's ruling party-controlled National Assembly on Thursday approved a mining bill expected to open the sector to private and overseas investment, after the US eased restrictions on the country to stimulate external capital investment in its struggling economy.The bill repealed the 1999 and 2015 mining regulations, allowing domestic, overseas, and state-owned and private companies or consortia to mine gold and "strategic minerals." The maximum term for concessions is 30 years, but can be extended by up to two 10-year periods.Under the bill, mineral resources remain state property, disputes can be resolved through arbitration, and a royalty tax of 13% of the total value of minerals is levie.
Apr 10, 2026 21:56
Copper Transforms from Weak to Top-Performing Metal, Driven by Supply Concerns and Economic Outlook
Apr 10, 2026 21:55
Copper Transforms from Weak to Top-Performing Metal, Driven by Supply Concerns and Economic Outlook
Read More
Copper Transforms from Weak to Top-Performing Metal, Driven by Supply Concerns and Economic Outlook
Copper Transforms from Weak to Top-Performing Metal, Driven by Supply Concerns and Economic Outlook
Nguyen Thu Lan at Commerzbank noted that copper, once among the weakest-performing metals under pressure from rising London Metal Exchange (LME) inventories and mixed supply side news, has now transformed into one of the best-performing metals.Potential inventory sell-offs and the restart of the Panama mine could suppress price gains in the short term, but the sharp decline in Chilean production suggests that once concerns about economic growth ease, supply worries could dominate, supporting copper prices higher over the longer term.Nguyen said: "Copper is one of the best-performing metals. On the one hand, this can be attributed to copper being viewed as a highly cyclical metal.
Apr 10, 2026 21:55
Argentina Passes Mining Bill in Glacier Regions, Sparking Environmental Concerns and Water Security Fears
Apr 10, 2026 21:54
Argentina Passes Mining Bill in Glacier Regions, Sparking Environmental Concerns and Water Security Fears
Read More
Argentina Passes Mining Bill in Glacier Regions, Sparking Environmental Concerns and Water Security Fears
Argentina Passes Mining Bill in Glacier Regions, Sparking Environmental Concerns and Water Security Fears
Argentine lawmakers passed a government-backed reform bill aimed at promoting mining investment in glacier regions. Environmentalists and scientists said the move would weaken related protections and threaten water security.The lower house passed the reform bill with 137 votes in favor, 111 against, and 3 abstentions. The bill took effect immediately upon publication in the official gazette.The reform, driven by the libertarian government of Javier Milei, sparked controversy for allowing provinces to set their own protection standards for glaciers and periglacial areas. Critics said the shift could weaken protections for high-altitude glacial landscapes that serve as vital freshwater reserves.
Apr 10, 2026 21:54
SMM Daily Comments (May 4): Coking Coal and Oil Prices Plunge, SHFE Nickel Soar, Gold Hit Record High - Shanghai Metals Market (SMM)