1、 Trend analysis
| Sodium Molybdate |
Nickel prices have fluctuated widely this week. As of the weekend, the spot nickel price was 129783 yuan/ton, up 0.17% from the beginning of the week and up 7.95% year-on-year.
Macroscopically, long and short positions are intertwined at the macro level. Influenced by the unexpected announcement of the US Treasury Secretary to expand the scale of long-term treasury bond bond repo, the US dollar weakened, the nonferrous metals sector strengthened as a whole, and nickel prices were boosted. On the other hand, the Federal Reserve has once again released hawkish signals, with multiple officials leaning towards raising interest rates, and market trading logic shifting towards the risk of another rate hike within the year. The situation in the Middle East continues to fluctuate, with both the United States and Iran continuing to make tough statements, and cross-strait shipping has not yet resumed. Domestically, the LPR remained unchanged in August, and the fixed assets investment fell significantly in July, with real estate still the main drag. Although the macro atmosphere has warmed up, the fundamentals still lack directional driving.
Supply side: The overall supply side is relatively loose. Indonesia’s RKAB quota policy has entered a close game stage, with more than ten companies approved for revision, and expectations of quota relaxation are heating up. The Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mines has announced that it has begun approving quota increases for some companies RKAB, but the specific amount has not been disclosed. In terms of refined nickel, the global explicit inventory has returned to a high level of accumulation, with a weekly increase to 395000 tons. LME nickel inventory is reported at 268488 tons, with 112277 tons of nickel inventory from the previous period. The explicit inventory of approximately 380000 tons in both domestic and foreign markets constitutes the core suppression. China’s refined nickel inventory is about 116600 tons, and the overall supply is abundant.
On the demand side: The overall demand side is weak. In terms of stainless steel, traditional consumer demand is weak during the off-season, and downstream acceptance of high priced resources is limited. Transactions only show a temporary recovery before returning to a flat state. This week, steel mills have significantly loosened their prices, and the profit margin of 304 cold rolling has turned negative, causing steel mills to fall into cost inversion. The inventory of 300 series stainless steel has increased to 586000 tons, with a weekly increase of 1.56%, further highlighting the contradiction between supply and demand. In terms of new energy, the production of ternary cathode materials in July was 89220 tons, an increase of 2.48% compared to the previous month. However, downstream enterprises have a weak willingness to purchase, mainly for essential needs. Overall, the two main lines of nickel demand – stainless steel rigid bottom support and cautious replenishment of battery nickel – are difficult to provide strong support.
Influencing factors: The main factors affecting nickel prices this week include: firstly, the uncertainty of Indonesia’s RKAB quota policy continues to disrupt the market, with expectations of quota relaxation alternating with expectations of supply tightening; Secondly, high global inventory is the core factor suppressing the rebound in nickel prices. LME inventory is approaching the 270000 ton mark, and the explicit inventory of about 380000 tons, both internally and externally, forms a solid resistance band; Thirdly, mining costs provide bottom support, with Indonesia’s HMA nickel price rising to $16960/ton in the second half of August, and sulfur prices operating at a high level; Fourthly, at the macro level, the weakening of the US dollar and the hawkish signals from the Federal Reserve are mutually pulling each other, and nickel prices are fluctuating with the non-ferrous sector.
In summary, the nickel market showed a pattern of “high inventory suppression, cost support, and weak supply and demand” last week. Although the macro sentiment has warmed up, the trend of nickel in the non-ferrous sector is relatively under pressure due to high inventory. The approval result of Indonesia’s RKAB quota is still a core concern in the market. If the quota increment is lower than expected, it may drive nickel prices to recover upwards. If new quotas are concentrated and implemented, the rebound space will be limited. Looking ahead to next week, nickel is expected to maintain range fluctuations, with a focus on the progress of Indonesia’s quota approval, LME inventory changes, and downstream replenishment willingness.
| http://www.lubonchem.com/ |
