US zinc scrap prices trended flat for most grades on Thursday in a quiet market.
LME zinc prices inched up this week with the three-month official LME zinc contract closing at $2,814.50/mt on Thursday, up $4.50/mt from March 11.
The weekly Davis Index for new zinc diecast increased by 1¢/lb to 78.7¢/lb on Thursday on improving demand from the automotive sector and robust orders from the steel and construction industries.
Zinc scrap prices are expected to rise as macroeconomic trends point to stronger demand from the automotive and infrastructure sectors, which should support zinc prices going into the second quarter of the year.
Zinc galvanizer grades remained unchanged on Thursday with the weekly indexes for zinc galvanizers bottom dross and zinc galvanizers top dross flat at 76.5¢/lb and 73.5¢/lb, respectively.
In primary markets, the Davis Index special high-grade zinc premium held unchanged at 8¢/lb delivered as trading remained subdued for the primary grade.