Macro Weakness and Divergent Domestic and Overseas Fundamentals: LME Lead Prices Expected to Continue Outperforming SHFE [SMM Weekly Lead Market Forecast]

         Next week, macro data releases will include China’s May CPI annual rate, the US May unadjusted CPI annual rate, and the preliminary US June one-year inflation expectations, all of which are about to be released. Additionally, US-Iran peace talks have seen repeated setbacks, and the US is planning to impose additional tariffs on over 60 global economies under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, leaving the macro environment clouded by numerous uncertainties. Furthermore, China’s head of state will pay a state visit to North Korea from June 8 to 9.

On the LME lead front, following two consecutive weeks of heavy deliveries into warehouses, LME lead inventory hit a 13-year high. Meanwhile, a supply gap for high-grade lead ingots persists in Southeast Asia. Even though environmental protection inspections on secondary lead have concluded in the Vietnam market, spot lead continues to trade at widespread, high premiums, causing the LME lead ingot inventory buildup to reverse and shift into a decline. Overseas macro uncertainties abound, pressuring the base metals complex lower. Looking ahead, attention should be paid to the strong supportive factor of supply gaps for lead ore and lead ingots. LME lead is expected to trade within $1,990-2,050/mt next week.

On the SHFE lead side, a supply-demand mismatch for lead ingots in China and inventory buildup risks are weighing on lead prices. Additionally, with futures delivery approaching, invisible inventory will be converted to visible inventory. During the lead price decline, secondary lead losses have widened, and supply of lead ore and scrap batteries has been tight, leaving limited downside room for lead prices. The most-traded SHFE lead contract is expected to trade within 16,200-16,650 yuan/mt next week.

Spot price forecast: 16,200-16,500 yuan/mt. On the supply side, the post-maintenance recovery of primary and secondary lead has paused for now. Furthermore, with secondary lead losses widening, secondary refined lead has formed an inversion over primary lead. Coupled with potential delivery brand shipments to delivery warehouses, circulating supply is expected to tighten relatively, and spot discounts are expected to narrow further. On the consumption side, downstream enterprises are merely producing based on sales, and after the lead price drop, they have not engaged in concentrated procurement as witnessed during the mid-to-late May decline. They are expected to maintain just-in-time procurement.