Higher prices expected for antimony
2005-09-13 10:46:39 【Print】
BEIJING (Asian Metal) 13 Sep 05 – Although European antimony market prices have increased a lot in past weeks since mid of this August, market participants still hold higher expections for the forthcoming market.
A Belgium trader reported to Asian Metal that he just sold 50 tons of antimony to a secondary lead producer at the price of USD3,850/t in warehouse Rotterdam. According to the trader, the quality of the material is normal with two elements restricted. “Only smelters of antimony trioxide really care about the content of bismuth,” said the trader.
With most consumers back to the market and start to purchase for their fourth quarter production, the trader believes the price will continue to go up. “The price is not going up very fast, so my customers easily accept the high prices.” The trader revealed that he deals around 2,500 tons antimony each year.
A UK trader claimed that she had concluded several deals last week with the price in the range between USD3,800-3,850/t in warehouse Rotterdam. “Some of my customers are still fighting with the high prices, but they are going to give in at the end,” said the trader. With the prices of downstream products, such as antimony trioxide, climb up, the trader thinks the price of antimony ingot will continue to go up.
A German trader holds a different opinion: he considers the market consists with more “talk” than action. “My customers wouldn’t accept high prices,” said the trader. According to the trader, his customers believe there is enough material in Rotterdam warehouse but labeled with high prices.
“I believe many traders are bluffing, so they can manipulate the market to push the price up. However, demand and supply adjust the price, so I think there is not enough room for the price continue to go up.” The trader deals over 1,000 tons antimony every year, and he has not concluded any antimony deal in the passed month.
