UBS forecasts
Cash zinc prices, up nearly 80% since the beginning of the year on the LME, are seen at 165.4c/lb, or $3,649/ton for 2006, up 65% on the January forecast and at 185c/lb or $4,081/ton for 2007, up 95% on the previous outlook.
"Improving fundamentals are no better reflected than in the highly visible inventory levels on the LME. Inventories of refined zinc in LME warehouses currently total 266,000 tons compared with 394,000 tons at the end of 2005," UBS said.
Around two-thirds of these stocks are held in LME warehouses in New Orleans, which were damaged in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, UBS added. The cash nickel forecast is up 15% at 761.2c/lb, or $16,794/ton for 2006 and up 40% for 2007 on the previous forecast at 765c/lb, or $16,878/ton.
Base metal forecasts LME cash, in cents a pound.
2006 2007
Copper 246.7 265.0
Aluminum 126.2 127.5
Nickel 761.2 765.0
Zinc 165.4 185.0
Lead 59.0 57.3