Lackluster demand from end consumers has put further pressure on the lead premium in the United States, with the range for the 99.97% ingot premium falling twice in the past four weeks to a nearly seven-and-a-half-year low.
Fastmarkets assessed the lead 99.97% ingot premium, ddp Midwest US at $0.085-0.095 per lb on Tuesday March 3, down by 5.3% from the $0.09-0.10-per-lb range maintained since February 11 - when the premium narrowed downward from $0.09-0.105 per lb on February 4. The premium now stands at its lowest level since reaching 7-8 cents per lb on September 28, 2012.Fastmarkets assessed the lead 99.99% ingot premium, delivered...