LIVE FUTURES REPORT 07/11: SHFE base metals mostly lower; nickel slips on profit-taking

Base metal prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were mostly lower during Asian morning trading on Tuesday November 7, with nickel succumbing to profit-taking after its climb in the previous session.

The most-traded January nickel contract stood at 102,700 yuan ($15,484) per tonne as at 10:51am Shanghai time, down 530 yuan from the previous session’s close, with around 267,000 lots traded so far.

Open interest of the contract fell to 452,934 positions at 10:35am Shanghai time on Tuesday from 490,642 positions at Monday’s close. The liquidation by longs took place after the contract hit a record high of 103,410 yuan per tonne on Monday.

“The continuous surge in nickel prices is due to funds being optimistic about future demand for nickel sulphate,” China’s Galaxy Futures said late on Monday.

The SHFE copper price remained under pressure from rising domestic stocks and the upcoming low-consumption season. The most-traded January copper contract fell 80 yuan to 54,590 yuan per tonne on Tuesday, with around 128,000 lots of the contract traded so far.

Deliverable copper stocks at SHFE-approved warehouses had increased by 18% or 19,381 tonnes week on week to 127,273 tonnes as of November 3.

Traditionally, September and October are peak consumption seasons in China, while usage declines during the country’s winter months (November to March).

“Copper prices are under pressure from further correction given the swift climb of the US dollar and a lack of fundamental reasons for funds to go long on the metal,” China’s Minmetals Jingyi Futures said on Monday.

But in the medium term, global economic recovery should provide support for the red metal, the futures broker added.

Other metals weaker, except lead

  • The SHFE December lead contract rose 40 yuan to 18,830 yuan per tonne.
  • The SHFE January aluminum contract fell 5 yuan to 16,155 yuan per tonne.
  • The SHFE January zinc contract dipped 135 yuan to 25,860 yuan per tonne.
  • The SHFE January tin contract slipped 1,120 yuan to 143,100 yuan per tonne.

Currency moves and data releases

  • The dollar index was up 0.04% at 94.78 as of 10:20am Shanghai time.
  • In other commodities, the Brent crude oil spot price increased 0.11% to $64.10 per barrel as at 10:19am Shanghai time.
  • In equities, the Shanghai Composite index rose 0.68% to 3,411.24.
  • In European Union data from Monday, the producer price index was recorded at 0.6% for September, up from 0.3% in the previous month, and the Sentix investor confidence was at 34.0 for October, up from 29.7 previously. German factory orders increased 1% in September, against a forecast 1% decline.
  • Key economic due later today includes the IBD/TIPP economic optimism and Jolts job openings from the United States.
  • In addition, European Central Bank (ECB) president Mario Draghi is due to deliver opening remarks at the ECB Forum in Germany, while US Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen is speaking in Washington DC, US.
SHFE snapshot at 1051 Shanghai time
Most-traded SHFE contracts
Price (yuan/t) Change since yesterday’s close (yuan)
Copper
54,590 -80
Aluminium
16,155 -5
Zinc
25,860 -135
Lead 18,830 40
Tin 143,100 -1,120
Nickel 102,700 -530

LME snapshot at 0251 London time
Latest 3M LME Prices
Price ($/t) Change since yesterday’s close ($)
Copper 6,966 -4
Aluminium 2,174.50 3.5
Lead 2,490 -20
Zinc 3,232.50 0.5
Tin 19,435 -15
Nickel 12,880 -40

Changjiang spot snapshot on November 7
Range (yuan/t) Change (yuan)
Copper 54,580-54,260 220
Aluminium 15,910-15,950 50
Zinc 26,100-26,150 -50
Lead 18,750-18,950 150
Tin 142,500-144,000 -500
Nickel 102,650-102,750 0
What to read next
European energy analysts’ “what if” questions have turned into “what now” questions in the wake of Russia’s stalled war efforts against Ukraine
Despite the metal being classed as “strategic” in the European Union’s proposed Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), questions remain about the future of magnesium supply in Europe, market participants have told Fastmarkets
The publication of Fastmarkets’ assessment of the Southeast Asia copper premium for Tuesday March 28 was delayed due to a scheduling error.
Recycling is increasingly being considered the best way to reduce carbon emissions from metals production, and huge investment in recycling facilities has been seen in recent years, with robust merger and acquisitions activity
As the world moves toward a shared goal of net-zero emissions, Claire Patel-Campbell talks to Outokumpu’s head of group sustainability, excellence and reliability about the place of the energy-intensive and high emissions ferro-chrome industry in a greener economy
Energy has been at the top of the agenda for the ferro-chrome market over the last couple of years, as prices fluctuate and access to steady supplies becomes more uncertain
We use cookies to provide a personalized site experience.
By continuing to use & browse the site you agree to our Privacy Policy.
Proceed