Broad markets were weaker this morning, Friday May 22, led by a 4.8% fall in the Hang Seng; base metals prices on both the London Metal Exchange and the Shanghai Futures Exchange were down across the board.

Good morning from Metal Bulletin’s offices in Asia as we bring you the latest news and pricing stories on Friday May 11.

Base metals prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were down across the board at the close of morning trading on Wednesday March 18, with the complex still under the influence of heightened risk aversion stemming from the spread of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and its impact on the global economy.

With the exception of those for aluminium, base metals prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange ended the morning trading session on Thursday February 13 slightly higher than their closes on Wednesday.

With little apparent progress made at last week’s United States-China trade talks and with economic data still generally pointing to weakness, as seen by China’s import and export data at the start of the week, the overall theme across markets seems to be one of more waiting.

Base metal prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were mostly higher during Asian morning trading on Monday December 4, with copper rising amid short-covering.

Nickel prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange fell during Asian morning trading on Monday May 21 amid a stronger dollar, but the outlook for the metal remains positive owing to strong fundamentals.

Positive headlines regarding continuing US-China trade talks have fueled a recovery in global risk sentiment so far on Friday March 29, subsequently providing support to three-month base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange are for the most part firmer this morning, Monday May 15.

Chinese imports from the US of products including metals concentrates and non-ferrous and ferrous scrap are eligible for two rounds of applications for exclusion from Chinese tariffs, according to a new policy document seen by Fastmarkets.