March 2024

SHFE base metal inventories rise; lead the exception

Most deliverable base metals inventories in Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE)-registered warehouses rose in the week to Friday March 29, with aluminium registering the largest gains in percentage terms while lead logged the largest outflow.

SHFE lead posts largest gain amid mixed base metal price movements

Base metal prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) moved in divergent directions during morning trading on Friday March 29, with lead again posting the largest gain.

LME base metals prices mostly up ahead of Easter break

Lead saw the biggest gains among the base metals on the London Metal Exchange, with the whole complex, bar tin, rising by the 5pm close ahead of the Easter break on Thursday, March 28.

Copper concentrate TCs fall closer to zero; China CSPT calls for production cuts

The decline in spot copper concentrate treatment and refining charges (TC/RCs) continued in the week to Friday March 28, with Fastmarkets’ CIF Asia TC index moving closer to zero and setting another fresh all-time low.

Base metals warrant report for March 27

A summary of the London Metal Exchange base metals warrant premiums from across the globe in the two weeks ended Wednesday March 27.

Base metals miners continue to fight against inflationary pressures

The most recent financial results published by base metals mining companies highlight just how inflation is affecting profit margins, with increasing wages, financing costs and input prices all hitting profits, sources told Fastmarkets in the week to Thursday March 28.

LME nickel price biggest mover in mild market conditions

Nickel was the standout performer of the London Metal Exchange base metals on Thursday March 28, in an overall mixed trading session.

China's CSPT fails to set Q2 buying guidance for copper TC/RCs, calls for production cuts

China's Copper Smelters Purchase Team (CSPT) failed to set a buying guidance for copper concentrate treatment and refining charges (TC/RCs) for the second quarter of 2024, and it is calling for production cut amid the free-falling copper concentrate TC/RC market, Fastmarkets learned on Thursday March 28.

SHFE base metal prices mostly up; lead posts largest gain

Most base metal prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) rose during morning trading on Thursday March 28, with lead posting the largest gain and tin being the only base metal to log a dip.

Chile lays out lithium policy details: Hotter Commodities

Chile’s government has laid out its plan to significantly boost the country’s lithium production, opening up 26 lithium salt flats for private investment and naming the Atacama and Maricunga salt flats as strategic to the state.