[SMM Flash News] The consumption of downstream lead-acid batteries has not shown significant improvement yet, and the enthusiasm for purchasing lead ingots during the week has been moderate. There are regional differences in the quoted prices of secondary refined lead. In central China, the ex-factory price (tax included) of secondary refined lead is at a discount of over 150 yuan/mt against the SMM 1# lead average price, while in east China, the mainstream prices are quoted at a premium of 0-50 yuan/mt. Due to the sustained increase in scrap battery prices, the transaction prices of secondary lead vary widely, and smelters are still generally operating at a loss.