[Zinc Concentrates Tender] According to SMM, the March tender price for self pick-up at the mine for zinc concentrates at a mine in North China was around 2,300 yuan/mt in metal content (including the 20/80 profit-sharing arrangement), with the enriched metal not priced. SMM will continue to monitor subsequent changes in processing fees.

[Imported Zinc Concentrates Market] Disruptions in Iran and Australia persisted recently, and the market’s concern over zinc concentrates supply continued. This week, traders of imported zinc ore continued to lower spot quotes. It was learned that some recent offers for bulk cargoes of zinc-rich zinc concentrates fell to negative prices.

[Supply Disruptions Persist, Imported TCs Continued to Decline]: Weekly data showed that the average weekly TC of SMM Zn50 domestic ore was unchanged at 1,550 yuan/mt in metal content, and the SMM imported zinc concentrate index fell $4.13/dmt MoM to $11.25/dmt...

[China Oversupply Weighed on SHFE Zinc]: The most-traded SHFE zinc 2604 contract opened at 24,250 yuan/mt. In early trading, bears added to open interest, and SHFE zinc fluctuated downward all the way, falling to a low below 24,140 yuan/mt. Its center then slightly rebounded, and it finally closed down at 24,140 yuan/mt, down 160 yuan/mt, or 0.66. Trading volume increased to 85,941 lots, while open interest rose by 2,465 lots to 75,191 lots.

Secondary Zinc Oxide Production Fell in February, While Secondary Zinc Oxide Payables Remained Relatively Firm. What Trend Will Secondary Zinc Oxide Show in March?

[SHFE/LME Price Ratio Pulled Back and Fluctuated Around 7.3]: This week, the SHFE/LME price ratio pulled back and fluctuated around 7.3, and the zinc ingot import window remained closed. Outside China, easing inflation concerns boosted a rebound in zinc prices; subsequently, investors stayed cautious about an escalation of the Middle East conflict, while a stronger US dollar, together with US February CPI coming in line with expectations and still-sticky inflation, drove LME zinc to fluctuate lower.

[Die-Casting Zinc Alloy Operating Rate Continued to Rise, While Market Demand Was Still Awaiting Improvement] This week, die-casting zinc alloy enterprises in the market had basically resumed normal production, driving the operating rate higher. In terms of orders, orders in the Chinese market were mainly still in the stage of recovery and improvement, with demand performance relatively average, while some export orders remained weak......

[Macro Disturbances Coupled With Rising China Inventory Weighed on the Centers of Both SHFE and LME This Week] At the beginning of the week, Trump stated that the conflict in Iran was basically over, and the US dollar index fell sharply, pushing the center of LME zinc higher; subsequently, market uncertainty intensified, some funds exited, and LME zinc came under pressure......

[SMM Morning Meeting Summary: Affected by Macro Disturbances, LME Zinc Maintained Wide Swings] LME zinc opened at $3,316/mt. In early trading, LME zinc fluctuated upward and touched a high of $3,331.50/mt, after which prices fell rapidly. It then rose and recovered the losses, but during European trading hours, as bears reduced open interest, LME zinc quickly dipped to $3,284/mt. In the night session, amid a tug-of-war between longs and shorts, LME zinc gradually recouped the losses and returned to fluctuate above the average price line, finally closing down at $3,314.50/mt, down $1/mt, or 0.03%. Trading volume decreased to 82,887 lots, and open interest increased by 527 lots to 217,000 lots.

[SMM Zinc Morning Comment] Overnight, the most-traded SHFE zinc 2604 contract opened at 24,360 yuan/mt. In early trading, SHFE zinc briefly touched a high of 24,390 yuan/mt, then quickly fell to a low of 24,205 yuan/mt. Thereafter, amid a tug-of-war between longs and shorts, SHFE zinc fluctuated rangebound and finally closed down at 24,240 yuan/mt, down 60 yuan/mt, or 0.25%. Trading volume decreased to 35,766 lots, while open interest increased by 1,359 lots to 74,085 lots.