SMM Evening Comments (Oct 8)

SHANGHAI, Oct 8 (SMM) – SHFE nonferrous metals ended mixed on Tuesday October 8, the first trading day after the week-long National Day holiday. Lead was the best performer with a rise of 1.53%. Aluminium gained 0.04%, tin advanced 0.8%, while copper shed 0.66%, zinc lost 0.16%, and nickel edged lower.

The ferrous composite fell for the most part as rebar slipped 2.32%, hot-rolled coil eased 1.84%, coke fell 0.24%, stainless steel dipped 0.13%, while iron ore continued to climb 0.77%. 

Copper: The most-active SHFE copper contract moved to the December contract today, which dropped to an intraday low of 46,800 yuan/mt and ended 0.66% lower on the day at 46,820 yuan/mt. Deteriorating macroeconomic development during the holiday and a firm US dollar kept copper prices under pressure. The November contract remained in discounts, of around 50 yuan/mt, against the December contract. With heavy pressure from the 40-day moving average, the December contract may test support from 46,800 yuan/mt tonight. 

Zinc: Departing shorts sent the most-traded SHFE November contract to an intraday high of 18,795 yuan/mt, but pressure above from the 10-day moving average capped its upsides and ended it 0.16% lower at 18,700 yuan/mt. Open interests lost 13,068 lots to 159,000 lots. The KDJ indicators expanded upwards, indicating upward momentum in the contracts tonight. A pickup in spot traders and less-than-expected buildup in social inventories of zinc may also support prices. Tonight, pressure above from the 10-day moving average will be monitored. 

Nickel: The most-traded SHFE nickel contract switched to the December contract, which rebounded after fell below the five-day moving average to a low of 134,310 yuan/mt, closing down 0.04% at 137,000 yuan/mt. It is expected to test support from the 137,000 yuan/mt level tonight. 

Lead: A strong LME lead during the holiday boosted the most-liquid SHFE November contract to a nearly three-week high of 17,280 yuan/mt, before longs booked profits and left, sending the contract to 17,205 yuan/mt at closing, up 1.53% on the day. Limited upside room is expected in the contract as spot traders were subdued at the end of a traditional peak season for lead consumption. High margins will spur the production of secondary lead, which is set to grow supplies and pressure lead prices. 

Tin: The most-liquid SHFE January 2020 contract grew after declined, hitting a high of 135,640 yuan/mt and ending up 0.8% at 135,260 yuan/mt. The contract remained in a rangebound trend with support expected at 134,000 yuan/mt and resistance at 136,500 yuan/mt tonight.