S&P 500 — US Large Cap Index
FTSE 100 — UK Blue Chips
Euro Stoxx 50 — Eurozone Leaders
DAX 40 — German Equities
CAC 40 — French Market Index
Nikkei 225 — Japan Benchmark
Hang Seng — Hong Kong Index
Shanghai Composite — China Mainland
ASX 200 — Australian Market
TSX Composite — Canada Index
Nifty 50 — India Large Cap
STI Index — Singapore Market
KOSPI — South Korea Index
Bovespa — Brazil Equities
JSE Top 40 — South Africa Index
IPC Index — Mexico Market
Zinc prices rose above $3,950 a ton, hitting their highest level since April 2022, amid tightening supply conditions. The metal posted a fifth consecutive monthly gain in August and is up 27% so far this year, outperforming other major base metals. Supply concerns have been fueled by disruptions at several mines, including in China, while Middle East tensions have constrained Iranian ore shipments. The squeeze is also reflected in sharply lower smelter treatment charges, signaling a shortage of zinc concentrate available for processing. At the same time, stockpiles at LME warehouses remain relatively low by historical standards, while physical availability outside China is particularly tight. Meanwhile, Chinese inventories have risen significantly, creating a notable divergence between the world’s largest zinc consumer and other major markets.
