[How Should Zinc Consumption Be Viewed Against the Backdrop of Geopolitical Conflicts?] Q1 2026 had passed, and the overall recovery in post-holiday consumption was somewhat delayed. How would consumption perform going forward?

[Zinc Concentrate Tender] According to SMM, a mine in Southwest China recently set the April tender price for zinc concentrates at nearly 1,400 yuan/mt in metal content, self pick-up at the mine, down by no more than 100 yuan/mt in metal content MoM. SMM will continue to monitor subsequent changes in TCs.

Dalian iron ore was stronger in the morning session today, but pulled back in the afternoon. The most-traded contract, I2605, finally closed at 805 yuan/mt, down 1.29% from the previous trading session. Spot prices fell by about 3-7 yuan from the previous trading day. Traders were moderately active in offering quotes, while steel mills made fewer inquiries; as of now, spot market transactions were average. Fundamentals, inventory at the 10-port sample showed clear structural divergence this week. Among them, mainstream mid-grade ores such as PB fines and blended fines saw a notable inventory buildup, with PB fines surging 1.24 million WoW to nearly 9 million. In contrast, IOCJ fines, super special fines, and high-silicon Brazilian coarse ore bucked the trend and posted destocking. This divergence indicated that, against the backdrop of steel mill profits coming under pressure, the consumption side was accelerating toward extreme cost reduction. Steel mills generally adopted a barbell-style ore blending strategy of pairing high- and low-grade materials, significantly squeezing demand for mainstream mid-grade ore and putting further pressure on iron ore's upward momentum. On the macro front, driven by persistently high inflation outside China and fading expectations for US Fed interest rate cuts, tighter US dollar liquidity further weighed on bullish sentiment in commodities. Combined with pressure from elevated inventory on the micro side and weak demand for mid-grade ore, iron ore prices lacked drivers for an upward breakout in the short term and are expected to remain in the doldrums within a narrow range.

On April 2, 2026, LME zinc inventory fell by 275 mt to 113,950 mt, down 0.24%, while cancelled warrants surged by 26,925 mt, up 301.87%, bringing the overall cancelled warrant ratio to 23.63%. Warehouse data showed that the increases were mainly concentrated in Singapore and Kaohsiung. Current overall zinc inventory remained at a relatively low level, while LME Cash-3M maintained a mild contango structure, so attention should be paid to subsequent actual inventory changes and structural risks.

【SMM Steel】Hyundai Steel issued FAC to SMS group after upgrading its Dangjin #1 CGL. The two-phase project integrated X-Pact® automation and upgraded hydraulics to improve strip quality and stability. Stage 1 added a new strip washer/dryer. Stage 2 focused on the skin-pass mill for precise flatness. The upgrades reduce downtime and extend equipment life, building on a partnership since 2005.

[LME Zinc Cancelled Warrants Increased Sharply] On April 2, 2026, LME zinc inventory decreased by 275 mt to 113,950 mt, down 0.24%, but cancelled warrants increased sharply by 26,925 mt, up 301.87%, with the overall cancellation ratio at 23.63%. Warehouse data showed that the increases were mainly concentrated in Singapore and Kaohsiung. Current overall zinc inventory remained at a relatively low level, and with LME Cash-3M maintaining a mild contango structure, attention should be paid to subsequent actual inventory changes and structural risks.

[SMM Shanghai Spot Copper] Looking ahead to tomorrow, the Shanghai spot copper market is expected to remain in the doldrums. Supply side, as the import window has opened, expectations for subsequent inflows of cargo from outside China have strengthened, and some imported cargo circulated in the market during the day, continuously pressuring spot discounts. Meanwhile, according to SMM, some smelters had a need to reduce inventory ahead of the holiday and intended to accelerate the pace of shipments, further increasing circulation pressure in the spot market. Demand side, downstream enterprises still showed limited acceptance of current price levels, with overall procurement still dominated by just-in-time procurement and insufficient willingness to chase higher prices. However, as the Qingming Festival approaches, some downstream enterprises may have pre-holiday stockpiling demand, which could provide some support to the spot market, but is expected to be insufficient to reverse the overall weak supply-demand pattern. Overall, Shanghai spot copper prices against the 2604 contract are expected to remain at the current level tomorrow.

Researchers at Chungnam National University have developed next-generation zinc batteries using artificial polymer nanolayers to significantly improve stability. This novel protective coating helps prevent dendrite formation and reduces unwanted side reactions, enhancing the overall reliability and practicality of zinc-ion batteries. Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are increasingly being recognized as a safer and more cost-effective alternative to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Although LIBs remain the dominant energy storage solution, they pose safety concerns due to their use of flammable organic electrolytes. In comparison, aqueous ZIBs rely on water-based electrolytes, making them non-flammable, more environmentally friendly, and cheaper.

[SMM Morning Lead Briefing: Easing Geopolitical Tensions Push LME Lead to a Near Half-Month High] SMM, April 2: Overnight, LME lead opened at $1,913/mt. As the market expected geopolitical tensions outside China to ease, the overall center of LME lead moved higher......

[SMM Zinc Morning Comment] Overnight, SHFE zinc posted a small bullish candlestick, with the center of the daily candlestick moving higher again, while the middle band of the Bollinger Bands formed resistance above. Overnight, amid expectations that the geopolitical conflict may come to an end, China followed outside China with its center moving higher, but judging from current spot cargo transactions, as zinc prices rose, downstream pricing activity weakened, coupled with......