End-user actual consumption improves marginally Lead prices remain in the doldrums [Brief Commentary on Lead Futures]

Published: Aug 20, 2025 17:42

SMM Aug 20 Report:

The most-traded SHFE lead 2509 contract opened at 16,720 yuan/mt, initially maintaining a downward trend, and slightly rebounded in the afternoon, finally closing at 16,725 yuan/mt, with a decline of 0.59%, and an open interest of 46,776 lots.

Yesterday, overseas lead inventory surged by over 20,000 mt, leading to a general weakening of domestic and overseas lead prices. Currently, the domestic lead-acid battery market is in its traditional peak season, but actual terminal consumption has seen limited improvement. Additionally, changes in tariff policies have led to a decline in battery exports, providing little support for lead consumption. Meanwhile, the issue of losses in secondary lead production remains unresolved, with many secondary lead producers operating at reduced capacity or shutting down. The price of secondary lead continues to be lower than that of primary lead. Continued attention should be paid to the cost of secondary lead and the downstream purchasing trends for their supportive role on lead prices.

Source statement: Apart from publicly available information, other data are derived from public information, market exchanges, and SMM's internal database model, processed by SMM for reference only and do not constitute decision-making advice.

 

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.

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