SMM July 10: This week, spot premiums in Tianjin declined, down 5 yuan/mt WoW. As of this Friday, domestic regular brands were quoted at discounts of 60-130 yuan/mt against the 2608 contract, high-end brands at discounts of 0-10 yuan/mt against the 2608 contract, with Tianjin at a discount of 50 yuan/mt against Shanghai, and the Shanghai-Tianjin price spread widened. Zinc prices surged this week, leaving downstream users wary of high prices and cautious in purchasing, with a strong wait-and-see sentiment and mainly consuming inventories. Large smelters primarily relied on long-term contracts, overall consumption was moderate, Tianjin inventory edged up, and trader shipments edged down. Spot premiums are expected to hold steady next week.


