Fastmarkets MB is delaying the launch of a weekly price assessment of South America import aluminium-zinc alloy coated steel coil reported on a US-dollar-per-tonne cfr South America basis.

Metal Bulletin has amended its formula for calculating the daily copper, aluminium, zinc and nickel arbitrage between the Chinese and global metals markets.

Over-eager zinc bears have contributed to a ballooning backwardation in London Metal Exchange price spreads, having bet prices would drop further and sooner than fundamentals have allowed.

What were the key market moves and news over the past week? Metal Bulletin's editor Alex Harrison rounds it up.

Metal Bulletin is to update its formula for calculating the daily copper, aluminium, zinc and nickel arbitrage between the Chinese and global metals markets.

The delivered US premium for special-high-grade zinc remains steady as a recent pullback in London Metal Exchange prices has yet to stir up much additional spot business.

Zinc premiums in Johor have fallen amid availability of material and backwardation in London Metal Exchange prices, market participants said.

Historic payment structures are enabling zinc smelters to raise primary output even as market-related terms such as metal premiums and concentrate treatment charges remain low; but the opposite is true for lead.

The European Commission has taken in responses to a questionnaire it sent out to the metal industry regarding the impact that the merger of Glencore and Xstrata will have on competition, where concern has centred on the zinc market.

Good morning from Fastmarkets MB’s offices in Asia as we bring you the latest news and pricing stories on Friday November 16.