Good morning from Metal Bulletin’s offices in Asia, bringing the latest news and pricing stories on Tuesday December 19.

At the start of 2016 the mood was dire – metals prices were trading around multi-year lows in thin trading conditions. Speculators and funds shunned the complex and, with a poor global economic outlook, the outlook was bleak.

The base metals on the London Metal Exchange are consolidating this morning, Monday May 22, with prices down an average of 0.7%, although that is skewed by a 3% decline in three-month nickel prices to $9,085 per tonne. The rest are down an average of 0.4%, except tin prices which are little changed.

South 32 have rolled over annual treatment and refining charge (TC/RCs) terms for lead concentrates with smelter customers globally, sources with direct knowledge told Fastmarkets.

The London Metal Exchange, the world’s largest non-ferrous metals market, marked its 139th year of existence by moving to a new headquarters in February, although the relocation did not take place without a major hiccup in the summer.

Base metals prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were mixed during morning trading on Monday March 11, with the complex reacting to the uninspiring Chinese economic data released over the weekend.

Three-month base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were split into two camps on the morning of Monday June 11, with lead, zinc and aluminium prices moving higher, while the rest weakened.

Base metals prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange mostly edged upward during the morning trading session on Friday December 6, with a weak US dollar providing broad support to the complex.

China's trade surplus with the United States in the first half of 2019 has increased as imports from the US have fallen by 25.7%, stoking fears that President Trump will harden his position in trade talks with China.

Although rate cut expectations encouraged the London Metal Exchange three-month base metals prices to move higher yesterday, they have started to weaken in early trading today, Thursday July 11, and been unable to attract follow-through buying.