Zinc downstream operating rates show mixed performance last week. When will end-user consumption improve? [SMM Analysis]

Actual consumption improvement in the zinc downstream sector is limited. Galvanizing is significantly affected as ferrous metals prices fell to the lowest level of the year, leading to a substantial decline in operating rates. In the die-casting zinc alloy sector, although some companies resumed production after previous high-temperature shutdowns, some remain pessimistic about future orders and have shifted to trade, resulting in little overall change in operating rates. Zinc oxide saw no improvement in actual orders last week, but companies that had previously halted production resumed operations, leading to an increase in operating rates. Overall, zinc consumption has not improved, and attention should be paid to order performance in late August.