Lead Prices

Lead prices averaged USD 2,145 per metric ton in April, which was 1.4% higher than March’s price of USD 2,115 per metric ton. April’s average price for lead was down 10.1% from the same month last year. Meanwhile, on 28 April, lead traded at USD 2,174 per metric ton, which was up 2.4% from the same day of the previous month.

Prices gained some ground in recent weeks due to a stronger automobile sector—the metal is chiefly used in car batteries. In particular, car production rose in the U.S. and China in March. Moreover, manufacturing activity improved in the U.S.—the world’s second-largest consumer of the metal—as signaled by a rebound in its manufacturing PMI in April. On the supply side, stronger output in top producer China in Q1 should have limited price gains somewhat.