LME Lead Future Prices Edge Lower During Asian Session, Pressure Persists

Published: Apr 23, 2026 16:45

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Highlights of LME Future price: LME lead traded weaker during the Asian session, with 3M contract slipping to $1954/t, down $9.5 (-0.48%). The market opened at $1964.5/t and briefly tested a high of $1968/t before selling pressure, pushing down to $1945/t. Overall sentiment remained soft. Trading activity was relatively moderate; the market attempted a rebound from the day’s lows.

Highlights of China lead market: Chinese smelters, particularly secondary producers, running below full capacity. Spot refined lead trading at discounts of 50–0 yuan/ton to SMM 1# lead average price. Activity remains focused on long-term contracts, with limited spot liquidity. Following the decline in lead prices, the willingness of some inventory holders to sell has also been very weak as of 23 April.

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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