SMM Nickel Market Morning Comment (Dec 4)

Published: Dec 4, 2024 09:27
Source: SMM
The mainstream premium for Jinchuan #1 nickel was 2,900-3,100 yuan/mt, with an average of 3,000 yuan/mt, up 100 yuan compared to the previous trading day.

Spot Premiums/Discounts: The mainstream premium for Jinchuan #1 nickel was 2,900-3,100 yuan/mt, with an average of 3,000 yuan/mt, up 100 yuan compared to the previous trading day. The premium for Norilsk nickel was -400-0 yuan/mt, with an average of -200 yuan/mt, unchanged from the previous trading day.

Futures Market: On December 3, SHFE nickel opened lower and fluctuated at low levels in the morning. The midday closing price fell by 1,070 yuan/mt to 124,660 yuan/mt, a decrease of 0.85%.

Spot Market: During the day, nickel prices were adjusted downward again, continuing to fluctuate at low levels. The premiums/discounts for Jinchuan brand nickel, domestic electrodeposited nickel, and Norilsk nickel slightly increased overall but did not change significantly. The premium for imported Nikkelverk and Sumitomo nickel slightly rose, and the economic advantage (compared to Jinchuan nickel) seen in the past two weeks weakened, with overall transactions slightly declining. Futures prices fell this week, but considering the traditional off-season for downstream sales at year-end and the destocking phenomenon of downstream enterprises before the year-end, downstream procurement did not show significant improvement.

Nickel briquette prices were 123,850-124,200 yuan/mt (out of stock), down 675 yuan/mt from the previous trading day.

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 Smelter Profits Squeezed as Ore Prices Rise and Sales Prices Dip
59 mins ago
High-Grade NPI Smelter Profits Squeezed as Ore Prices Rise and Sales Prices Dip
Read More
High-Grade NPI Smelter Profits Squeezed as Ore Prices Rise and Sales Prices Dip
High-Grade NPI Smelter Profits Squeezed as Ore Prices Rise and Sales Prices Dip
[SMM Nickel Flash] Based on nickel ore prices from 25 days ago, smelter profits for high-grade NPI remained high this week. However, from the current raw material side, ore prices from both the Philippines and Indonesia increased, while auxiliary material prices saw a slight pullback, leading to an increase in the cash cost of producing high-grade NPI from spot ore. At the same time, high-grade NPI prices experienced some pullback, making it difficult for smelter profits to see sustained improvement.
59 mins ago
High-Grade NPI Prices Fall, Expected to Stabilize as Chinese New Year Approaches
1 hour ago
High-Grade NPI Prices Fall, Expected to Stabilize as Chinese New Year Approaches
Read More
High-Grade NPI Prices Fall, Expected to Stabilize as Chinese New Year Approaches
High-Grade NPI Prices Fall, Expected to Stabilize as Chinese New Year Approaches
[SMM Nickel Flash] This week, due to a sharp decline in futures triggering arbitrage selling, high-grade NPI prices fell significantly. However, after the selling activity subsided, upstream quotations and the market center gradually returned to normal levels, supported by cost factors. Looking ahead, as the Chinese New Year holiday approaches, market activity is expected to remain subdued, and high-grade NPI prices are projected to hover at highs with limited fluctuations.
1 hour ago
Nickel Prices Drop: SMM 10-12% High-Grade NPI Down 17.2 Yuan, Indonesia NPI FOB Index Falls 2.06 $/mtu
1 hour ago
Nickel Prices Drop: SMM 10-12% High-Grade NPI Down 17.2 Yuan, Indonesia NPI FOB Index Falls 2.06 $/mtu
Read More
Nickel Prices Drop: SMM 10-12% High-Grade NPI Down 17.2 Yuan, Indonesia NPI FOB Index Falls 2.06 $/mtu
Nickel Prices Drop: SMM 10-12% High-Grade NPI Down 17.2 Yuan, Indonesia NPI FOB Index Falls 2.06 $/mtu
[SMM Nickel Flash] The SMM average price of 10-12% high-grade NPI fell 17.2 yuan/mtu WoW to 1,035.8 yuan/mtu (ex-factory, tax included), while the Indonesia NPI FOB index average price dropped 2.06 $/mtu WoW to 131.2 $/mtu. At the beginning of the week, futures hit limit-down, and nickel prices fell sharply WoW, driving the emergence of arbitrage supplies sold at low prices, leading to a significant decline in high-grade NPI prices.
1 hour ago