An increase in Northern European buyers' spot market activity improved zinc premiums in Europe this week, while the closed import arbitrage window is weighing on zinc premiums in China and the United States' lead and zinc spot markets were quiet.
Northern European zinc consumers acquired units from the spot market this week, leading premiums to rebound from record low levels. A major Indian lead producer managed to increase contractual premiums by $15 per tonne year on year. Lead market participants gathered in Madrid, Spain this week at the International Lead Association (ILA) conference. Zinc premiums in China remain under pressure on a closed arbitrage window and increased refined zinc output. Both the zinc and lead spot markets were quiet in the US, with premiums flat. North Europe zinc premiums rebound from historic low level on increased spot interestNorthern European buyers' improved spot interest in zinc boosted regional premiums this week, Fastmarkets learned, with premiums on a duty-paid fca basis for Antwerp and Rotterdam, which currently trade at parity, rebounding from their historic low levels.Fastmarkets assessment of the premium for special high grade (SHG) zinc, fca Rotterdam, was at $90-110...