SHFE Lead in the Doldrums Throughout the Day, Broad Decline in Non-Ferrous Metals Dragged Prices to Fluctuate Downward [Lead Futures Brief]

SMM, May 15:

The most-traded SHFE lead 2606 contract opened at 16,530 yuan/mt during the session. Initially, SHFE lead prices moved sideways within the 16,500-16,550 yuan/mt range, then weakened slightly, dragged down by the overall bearish sentiment across non-ferrous metals, dipping to a low of 16,470 yuan/mt. Prices rebounded slightly toward the close, but upward momentum remained weak, ultimately settling at 16,510 yuan/mt, posting a bearish candlestick with a decline of 80 yuan/mt, or 0.48%. Currently, production cuts, shutdowns, and production resumptions coexist among secondary lead smelters, with bullish and bearish factors intertwined on the supply side. Outside China, the lead ingot import window has closed, and coupled with the widening supply gap for high-grade lead ingots in Southeast Asia, the inflow of imported lead cargoes has pulled back. On the sentiment front, the market going forward should focus on expectations for US Fed interest rate hikes, as well as whether policy benefits released from related visits to China will impact lead price trends.

During the session, the SHFE lead current-month 2605 contract closed at 16,310 yuan/mt, with a settlement price of 16,510 yuan/mt, open interest of 4,790 lots, delivery volume of 23,950 mt, and warrant inventory of 67,325 mt. The SHFE lead 2605 contract achieved a smooth delivery.

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