【Imported Zinc Concentrate Market】The import arbitrage for zinc concentrate has deteriorated further amid a widening gap between domestic and overseas zinc prices, reducing the economic attractiveness of imported material. Smelters continue to prioritize domestic concentrate procurement. Spot trading activity for imported zinc concentrate remained relatively limited this week, while treatment charges (TCs) continued to hover at low levels.

[End-Use Consumption Lacking Sufficient Support, Guangdong Zinc Premiums Move Sideways] This week, Guangdong premiums were up around 15 yuan/mt WoW. As of this Friday, mainstream #0 zinc in Guangdong was quoted at a discount of 75-120 yuan/mt against the market...

[More Frequent Production Control and Cuts Among Enterprises; Die-casting Zinc Alloy Operating Rates Decline] The decline in operating rates was mainly due to weakening end-use demand, with sluggish shipments at alloy plants leading to production control and cuts. Demand side, end-use consumption was in the traditional off-season, with orders across downstream sectors generally weak...

[Frequent disruptions in China’s supply side; TCs fell in many regions of China in August]: On a weekly basis, the SMM Zn50 domestic weekly average TC fell 400 yuan/mt Zn WoW to -1,150 yuan/mt Zn, and the SMM Imported Zinc Concentrate Index fell $3.5/dmt WoW to -$98.13/dmt. On a monthly basis, the SMM Imported Zinc Concentrate Index fell $17.01/dmt MoM in July to -$89.81/dmt....

[Trader Shipment Willingness is Low at Month-End, Market Holds Prices Firm]: This week, spot premiums in Shanghai rose, with the average price increasing by 10 yuan/mt WoW. As of this Friday, ordinary domestic brands were quoted at a premium of 20~30 yuan/mt against the 2609 contract, while the high-end brand Shuangyan was quoted at a premium of 130 yuan/mt against the 2609 contract.

The SHFE/LME zinc price ratio pulled back to around 6.8 and consolidated: This week, the ratio pulled back to around 6.8 and consolidated, closing the zinc ingot import window. Outside China, the US Fed stood pat at its July meeting, US GDP and PCE data missed expectations, and the pullback in the US dollar index boosted base metals. Meanwhile, LME inventory dropped to around 100,000 mt, and LME zinc remained relatively strong.