[SMM Nickel Morning Briefing] US media reported escalating US-Iran conflict, the most-traded SHFE nickel contract surged in early trading before pulling back slightly
[7.21 Morning Briefing] US media reports: US-Iran conflict intensifies, the Pentagon is accelerating the deployment of F-16 and F-35 fighter jets to the Middle East. Advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader: If US forces continue operations, Iran may shift to a full-scale offensive. The most-traded SHFE nickel 2609 contract surged in early trading then pulled back slightly, and as of the morning close, it reported 130,720 yuan/mt, down 0.13%. As the US-Iran conflict escalates, shipping restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz have strengthened sulfur cost support. However, refined nickel inventories remain difficult to reduce. Both domestic and international inventories are still at high levels, and the destocking speed is slow. In the short term, the price of the most-traded SHFE nickel contract is expected to trade within the range of 125,000-130,000 yuan/mt.