Nickel Price Fluctuations: Morning Session Volatility [SMM Nickel Spot Midday Review]

Published: Feb 25, 2025 11:41
[Nickel Prices Fluctuated in Early Trading Today] The mainstream spot premiums quotation range for Jinchuan Nickel No.1 was 1,600-1,900 yuan/mt, with an average premium of 1,750 yuan/mt, down 200 yuan from the previous trading day. The premiums and discounts quotation range for Russian nickel was -100 to 100 yuan/mt, on par with the previous trading day.

SMM, February 25:

Spot premiums and discounts: The mainstream spot premium quotation range for Jinchuan No.1 nickel was 1,600-1,900 yuan/mt, with an average premium of 1,750 yuan/mt, down by 200 yuan compared to the previous trading day. The premium and discount quotation range for Russian nickel was -100 to 100 yuan/mt, remaining at parity with the previous trading day.

Futures: Nickel prices showed a fluctuating trend after opening today, declining by 0.57% to a low of 123,820 yuan/mt.

Spot premiums and discounts: The premium for Jinchuan-branded nickel fell by 200 yuan compared to the previous trading day, mainly due to poor performance in the afternoon session yesterday, leading to sluggish market transactions. To stimulate sales, traders opted for proactive price reductions, resulting in a narrower premium range.

From a technical perspective and in terms of market sentiment, the SHFE nickel 2503 contract showed a fluctuating trend in the morning session, with transactions falling short of expectations. The downstream demand remained sluggish, and overall market trading activity was low.

Price spread with nickel sulphate: Today, nickel briquette prices were 123,450-123,700 yuan/mt, with an average price of 123,575 yuan/mt, down by 575 yuan/mt compared to the previous trading day's spot price. Nickel sulphate remained at a discount to refined nickel.

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
9 hours 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.
9 hours ago
High-Grade NPI Prices Fall, Expected to Stabilize as Chinese New Year Approaches
9 hours 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.
9 hours ago
Nickel Prices Drop: SMM 10-12% High-Grade NPI Down 17.2 Yuan, Indonesia NPI FOB Index Falls 2.06 $/mtu
9 hours 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.
9 hours ago
Nickel Price Fluctuations: Morning Session Volatility [SMM Nickel Spot Midday Review] - Shanghai Metals Market (SMM)