GLOBAL ZINC & LEAD WRAP: US market gears up for mating season; Europe, US premiums flat

Global zinc and lead premiums remained unchanged across all regions in the week to Tuesday September 29, although increased buying appetite from Indian battery makers supported the Indian lead premium, Fastmarkets heard.

A favorable arbitrage gain attracted several thousands of tonnes of zinc into China last weekChina's zinc market quietens into this week ahead of the week-long national Golden Week holiday (October 1-8)Zinc's high price on the London Metal Exchange deterred spot buying in EuropeUS lead and zinc demand is improving, though it was a quiet week for spot salesThe US mating season for 2021 commencesZinc flows into China late last week on good arbitrage gain; market quietens this week
Several thousands of tonnes of zinc were reported delivered into China last week when the arbitrage gain between the Shanghai Futures Exchange and London Metal Exchange reached around 100 yuan ($14.70) per tonne.
The import market quietened into the current week, however, with China's National Day Golden Week holiday around the corner.

Fastmarkets' assessment of the zinc SHG, min 99.995%, ingot premium, cif Shanghai...

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