LME Futures Report on Wednesday, August the 30th

Intro

LME base metal prices are staying strong, at their current levels. Nickel and copper consolidated their recent gains. It was surely expected after few days of constant growth. 

Three month copper price went loosely up, but has again fallen to the level below $6,800 per tonne.

“Copper prices have had a strong run to the upside and although we remain bullish, the current upleg is looking quite stretched now, so some consolidation seems likely, especially if the dollar rebounds.” (Metal Bulletin analyst)

“The rest of the metals have been consolidating in high ground for some time, so they may be ready to push higher and catch up with copper’s lead.”  (Fast Markets)

Observing lead volatility, it yesterday closed up for 2.6%. This morning it is trading higher, due to cancelled 5,000 tonnes in Rotterdam. Leaving on-warrant stocks at 4month low worth.  

Aluminium, nickel and zinc are all trading remotely higher and consolidating at new levels.

Copper targets higher

The three-month copper price was up $5 to $6,796.50 per tonne.

Following, the Stocks declined a further net 9,975 tonnes to 223,050 tonnes with 15,000 tonnes re-warranted in various locations. 

China’s boosting macroeconomy will continue giving support to copper prices. Especially as the forecasts are expecting a new strong demand for copper during the upcoming season.

Following, the LME stocks declined sharply,

 and that indicated a positive fundamentals for copper. It peaked the level of $6,843.50 per tonne on Tuesday.

This volatility entered the market from the Asian part, where the most-traded January copper contract on SHFE also traded higher at 52,750 yuan ($7,989) per tonne.

Metal Prices

1. ALUMINIUM

* The three-month aluminium price was up $3.50 to $2,098.50 per tonne.

*Stocks declined 225 tonnes to 1,324,325 tonnes.

     2. NICKEL

*Nickel’s three-month price was up $10 to $11,720 per tonne. Inventories fell 1,890 tonnes to 386,550 tonnes.  “Nickel prices are under consolidation; however, there is a large chance that we will see nickel price supported in September.” (MB analyst said)

    3. ZINC  & TIN

* The three-month zinc price was up $26.50 to $3,136.50 per tonne. Stocks declined 775 tonnes to 245,375 tonnes, cancelled metal now accounts for 54% of total stock. * Lead’s three-month price edged $6 higher to $2,384 per tonne.

Most noteworthy,  stocks declined 25 tonnes to 148,675. With 5,125 tonnes freshly cancelled in Rotterdam. The three-month tin price was up $60 to $20,410 per tonne. Inventories dipped 85 tonnes to 1,890 tonnes.

Currencies & Data

Observing the value of indexes, the dollar index was up 0.24% to 92.51.

Brent crude oil spot price was down 0.91% to $51.46 per barrel. * In data on Tuesday, the August German GfK consumer climate index was a slightly better 10.9. French July consumer spending rose the anticipated 0.7% on the month, while the country’s second-quarter GDP was up 0.5% as forecast. * In US data on Tuesday, consumer confidence for August rose to 122.9, from 120.0. * The economic agenda is busy today with UK net lending to individuals, M4 money supply and mortgage approvals and US data that includes ADP non-farm employment change, preliminary second-quarter GDP and crude oil inventories of note. * In addition, US president Donald Trump is expected to lay out his plans for tax reform later today, while US Federal Open Market Committee member Jerome Powell is also speaking.