US indium market remains quiet during Chinese holiday
2010-02-18 09:27:27 【Print】
PITTSBURGH (Asian Metal) 18 Feb 10 – US indium prices remain unchanged this week as the largest suppliers in China continue on holiday for the Chinese New Year. The market is expected to stay around the current range for the next week until activity resumes towards the end of February.
Actual price levels keep at around USD530-570/kg, but few deals have been concluded as of late. The market has held at near USD550/kg for the past three weeks, though it is up about 30% over the past two months.
A small trader of around 200kg/m in the US market, who cited prices at around USD540-580/kg, had not sold any material this week. The source last sold 50kg at USD575/kg at the beginning of February.
“I have not seen any real movement since last week,” the source said. “Everyone is waiting until the Chinese return and activity picks up again.”
Prior to the start of the Chinese holiday, there were rumored concluded deals in Asia around USD500-520/kg. The size of the deals, however, was fairly small and limited in scope as the sales were conducted by some of the smaller Chinese indium smelters trying to get rid of material before the holiday.
One large US-based distributor reported prices around USD540-560/kg at present, but had not sold any material so far this week. The source expected there to be no depreciation from the current levels.
“There were a few Chinese suppliers dumping material before the Spring Festival, but it does not represent the mainstream market. The larger producers have not decreased their pricing, and so the general [indium] market is still at around USD550/kg,” the trader said.
Actual price levels keep at around USD530-570/kg, but few deals have been concluded as of late. The market has held at near USD550/kg for the past three weeks, though it is up about 30% over the past two months.
A small trader of around 200kg/m in the US market, who cited prices at around USD540-580/kg, had not sold any material this week. The source last sold 50kg at USD575/kg at the beginning of February.
“I have not seen any real movement since last week,” the source said. “Everyone is waiting until the Chinese return and activity picks up again.”
Prior to the start of the Chinese holiday, there were rumored concluded deals in Asia around USD500-520/kg. The size of the deals, however, was fairly small and limited in scope as the sales were conducted by some of the smaller Chinese indium smelters trying to get rid of material before the holiday.
One large US-based distributor reported prices around USD540-560/kg at present, but had not sold any material so far this week. The source expected there to be no depreciation from the current levels.
“There were a few Chinese suppliers dumping material before the Spring Festival, but it does not represent the mainstream market. The larger producers have not decreased their pricing, and so the general [indium] market is still at around USD550/kg,” the trader said.
