WisdomTree Zinc

Slowdown in China's manufacturing sector leads to rebound in metal market

Impact of Fed's Interest Rate Cut Plan on Base Metal Prices

ZINC

SEOUL, Dec 17 (Reuters) - South Korean industry minister Kim Jung-kwan said on Wednesday that Korea Zinc’s plan to build a smelter in the U.S. would help the Asian country to build supply chains for critical minerals. Kim made the remark at a press conference in Sejong, South Korea.

Reuters

Korea Zinc's plan to build US smelter would benefit South Korea, minister says

Morgan Stanley has revised its 2026 price forecasts for base metals. Aluminum is expected to reach $3,250/ton by Q2 2026. Zinc prices are forecast to slightly decrease to $2,900/ton, while nickel prices may retreat to $15,500/ton. Lead is expected to average just over $2,000/ton due to surplus. Copper is projected to face a deficit of 260,000 tons in 2025 and 600,000 tons in 2026.

Morgan Stanley

Morgan stanley revises 2026 price forecast for base metals

LEAD

Copper prices fell due to weak Chinese economic data and concerns over an AI bubble. The Shanghai Futures Exchange copper contract dropped 1.29%, while the London Metal Exchange copper fell 0.91%. China's factory output hit a 15-month low, and new home prices declined. Nickel also saw significant declines, with Shanghai nickel hitting a 40-month low. Nornickel raised its nickel surplus expectations for 2025 and 2026. Other metals like tin, aluminium, zinc, and lead also experienced declines.

marketscreener

Siren Divcon Leaders Dividend ETF

Copper eases on weak Chinese economic data

Korea Zinc shares fall 11% after reports top shareholders may seek to block US smelter plan

Korea Zinc shares fall 11% after reports top shareholders may seek to block US smelter plan

Korea Zinc shares fall 11%

The materials sector remained stable as precious metals like gold and silver saw gains, with gold reaching a record high. However, other commodities like wheat faced declines due to South American crop impacts. Additionally, Korea Zinc announced plans to build a $7.43 billion plant in the U.S. to enhance supply-chain ties with Washington.

Materials Flat as Precious Metals Rally Continues -- Materials Roundup

Fitch Ratings has issued a neutral outlook for the global mining sector in 2026, supported by resilient demand for key metals, loose fiscal policies, and energy transition investments. Copper and aluminium demand is expected to rise, while iron ore and zinc face oversupply. Precious metals benefit from geopolitical tensions. Industrial strategies vary globally, with significant investments in manufacturing and tech sectors. The full report is available from Fitch Ratings.

Fitch Ratings: Global Mining Outlook Is Neutral in 2026 Amid Resilient Demand

Gold futures are testing resistance at $4,400/oz, with potential to reach $4,500/oz. Chinese solar firms face margin challenges, with potential recovery in March 2026. Iron ore prices fall due to weak demand. Palm oil tracks weaker soybean oil prices, with concerns over rising stocks. Copper prices rise on strong fundamentals and supply disruptions, with bullish outlook for 2026.

ETFS Capital Ltd.

Korea Zinc to Build $7.43 Billion Smelter in U.S. -2-

Korea Zinc to build $7.4 bln smelter in US

Korea Zinc to build $7.4 bln smelter in US

India's stock benchmarks were flat as profit-taking offset gains in metals after the Fed's rate cut. Nifty rose 0.04%, Sensex fell 0.01%. Metals gained 0.8% due to a weaker U.S. dollar. Persistent foreign selling and rupee weakness affected the market. IndiGo fell 3.3% after cutting forecasts. Hindustan Zinc and Vedanta rose due to high silver prices.

India's stock benchmarks erase early gains as profit-taking offsets metals gains

Zinc futures fell to $3,080 per tonne on December 10 due to fading expectations of Chinese stimulus. The Politburo's satisfaction with current economic conditions reduced hopes for immediate measures. Losses were partly offset by tight inventories and constrained supply. The zinc market surplus narrowed in September, and several Chinese mines plan maintenance shutdowns. SHFE inventories fell, while LME stocks rose. China's refined zinc output fell month-on-month but increased annually, with October exports soaring amid weak local demand and stronger overseas premiums.

Trading Economics

Zinc Futures Fall as China Holds Back Stimulus

Group Eleven Resources Corp. announced positive drilling results at Ballywire discovery, part of the PG West Project in Ireland. Two new drill holes revealed a high-grade zinc-lead zone, with one hole intersecting 7.3 meters grading 5.2% zinc plus lead and 10 grams per tonne silver, including a higher-grade interval of 3.8 meters at 7.3% zinc plus lead and 14 grams per tonne silver. The company continues exploration with rigorous quality assurance and independent oversight.

Group Eleven Hits New High-Grade Zinc-Lead Zone at Ballywire Discovery

Honey Badger Silver Inc. has discovered high-grade silver and zinc targets at its Nanisivik Project in Nunavut. Recent geophysical and prospecting work revealed new silver-lead-zinc zones, with grab samples showing up to 249 g/t silver and 51.5% zinc. These findings could extend the strike length of unmined mineralization. The company plans to drill these targets in 2026, highlighting substantial exploration potential. Nanisivik, a former mine, produced over 20 million ounces of silver from 1976 to 2002.

Honey Badger Silver Discovers High-Grade Silver and Zinc Targets at Nanisivik

CoinLive

INTEL: Saudi Arabia uncovers 11 million tonnes of gold, copper, zinc, and silver in Najran

Stalprodukt SA's unit has signed a contract with Ocean Partners UK Limited to supply 1.5 million WMT of zinc-lead ore, valued at $55 million annually. This will enable the production of 43,000 tonnes of sulphide concentrates for zinc production, meeting 45% of the company's demand. ZGH Boleslaw will incur 37 million zloty in capital expenditure for contract implementation.