FOCUS: First deals point to drop in 2019 European zinc premiums but Nyrstar’s troubles cast uncertainty

摘要

The first deals for special high-grade zinc supply in 2019 in Europe point to a decline in annual zinc premiums compared with this year’s levels, but Nyrstar’s financial troubles are complicating negotiations and raising concerns that supply may turn out to be tighter than anticipated.“Not much has been done yet, but [the premium] seems to be lower than last year by at least $10-15 per tonne,” a zinc trader said.While the contract “mating season” is in full swing, the first deals in north Europe have been reported at $125-130 per tonne duty-paid fca, down from last year’s concluded level of $138-145 per tonne for 2018 supply.