The metals prices on the London Metal Exchange on Thursday February 22 are down an average of 1.6%, with nickel prices down the most with a 2.3% decline to $13,460 per tonne and copper prices off 1.6% at $7,024 per tonne.
With China back at work after the Lunar New year holiday, volumes on the LME have been high with 16,127 lots traded as of 07:32 am London time. Wednesday's trading had seen some strength ahead of China's return to work, with copper, aluminium, nickel and tin closing up by an average of 1.2% - although lead and zinc closed down an average of 0.7%. This morning's performance suggests Chinese traders have returned to seefirmer prices and have sold into them. Precious metals prices are for the most part weaker, with gold, silver and platinum prices off an average of 0.4%, while palladium prices are up 0.1%. The firmer dollar is no doubt weighing on sentiment. In wider markets, spot Brent crude oil prices are weaker by 0.28% at $64.84 per barrel and the yield on US 10-year treasuries remains firm at 2.94% as US treasury auctions are underway, and the...