Zinc takes the lead as concentration and backwardation converge

TODAY▲ZN cancels 3.6%→22.8%▲ZN back 3.31%→4.86%▲ZN on-warrant -19.9%vs prior day

The Main Tension

The one thing to know today

Zinc ZNRisk level ExtremeConcentration and front-end structure

The score is 77, up from 61; registered/on-warrant stock is down -10.6% over a month. Cash–3M is +198.9 $/t (4.86%), a 22-day high; the cumulative public OI proxy through M1 is about 21.0× on-warrant stock, with 13 trading days to M1. Cash holdings include a 90%+ holder. The 50–80% band is subject to LME lending guidance, which partially brakes an extreme premium: this is elevated delivery-structure risk, not an inevitable or unbounded squeeze.

Score: 77 (prior 61)Cash–3M: +198.9 $/t · 22-day highCash holdings: 50–80% band · lending guidance partly brakes extreme premiumExport parity: ~444 yuan/t away; not confirmed open

Registered warrants (deliverable)

75.6 kt

1M -10.6%

Cash–3M

+198.9 $/t

22-day high · 4.86%30d high

To M1 (09-16)

13 trading days

cumulative OI proxy 63,410 lots ≈ 21.0× on-warrant

Six-metal risk map

y risk level · x cancelled% · bubble = cumulative public OI through M1 ÷ on-warrant

Zinc: on-warrant vs total inventory (kt)

On-warrant is the deliverable waterline; total inventory includes cancelled stock, so the gap is a buffer.

LME on-warrantLME total inventory (on-warrant + cancelled)

Zinc Cash–3M: trend and acceleration

Solid is the front-end premium; dashed is the day-over-day change, showing whether pressure is still building.

Cash–3M ($/t)Day change ($/t)

What Changed This Week

Marginal moves over the past five sessions

Zinc ZNConcentration step-up▲

50-80%→90%+

Now inside the lending-guidance zone

Zinc ZNA step from export parity◆

-444 yuan/t

If it opens, metal flows back — the natural brake

Copper CUBackwardation accelerating▲

+76.7→+171.4 $/t

The slope matters more than the level

Zinc ZNBackwardation accelerating▲

+94.4→+198.9 $/t

The slope matters more than the level

Risk Heat — Six Metals

Click a tile to open the metal detail

Score heat — where risk is buildinglowhigh

Zinc ZNΔ1w ▲

Extreme

Next in line

Cancel 22.8%C-3M +4.86%30d highCover 21.0×Conc 90%+

Copper CUΔ1w ▲

High

Warrant drain

Cancel 54.3%C-3M +1.19%Cover 16.8×Conc 30-40%

Aluminium ALΔ1w ―

Moderate

Capped concentration

Cancel 1.3%C-3M -0.16%Cover 10.5×Conc 30-40%

Tin SNΔ1w ▼

Low

Small-base risk

Cancel 12.2%C-3M -0.65%Cover 5.3×Conc none

Lead PBΔ1w ▼

Low

Loose

Cancel 12.8%C-3M -1.88%Cover 2.4×Conc none

Nickel NIΔ1w ―

Low

Loose · window review

Cancel 3.7%C-3M -0.92%31d highCover 1.5×Conc none

Cross-Market & Arb Windows

Validate the inputs before calling a relief valve open

Confirmed open0 / 6Only checked windows count

Same-day dual-session coverage6 / 6AM checks direction · PM is production

Production exceptions0No stale or material conflict in production

Closest to parityLead PB +182±250 yuan/t treated as noise

Import / export window matrix

The track preserves SHFE/LME geometry; P&L, window state and data quality are separated for clarity

Latest PM · 2026-08-28

Metal & qualitySHFE/LME positionImport P&L

Lead PBNear parity

Export 5.72Now 8.56Import 8.47

+182yuan/t · Near parity

Nickel NIDual-session checked

Export 5.67Now 7.66Import 7.70

-682yuan/t · Import closed

Copper CUDual-session checked

Export 6.00Now 7.57Import 7.62

-791yuan/t · Import closed

Aluminium ALDual-session checked

Export 5.52Now 7.40Import 8.31

-2,951yuan/t · Import closed

Zinc ZNDual-session checked

Export 6.56Now 6.67Import 7.95

-5,016yuan/t · Import closed

Tin SNDual-session checked

Export 6.03Now 7.64Import 7.88

-13,693yuan/t · Import closed

Import P&L uses the latest same-day PM main contract, with AM checking direction. Export P&L remains a BW estimate; sources and parameters are not disclosed publicly.

Copper · import P&L (yuan/t)

History keeps a comparable daily basis; the final point uses latest same-day PM

-791yuan/t

Nickel · import P&L (yuan/t)

History keeps a comparable daily basis; the final point uses latest same-day PM

-682yuan/t

Detail table · stocks & window P&L▾

Metal	LME stock	SHFE stock*	COMEX stock	SHFE receipts	Import P&L	Export P&L est.	Read
Zinc ZN	98.0 kt	153.7 kt (-2,285)	3.0 kt	112,169 (-2,781)	-5,016 Dual-session checked	-444 near	About 444 yuan/t from export parity; if it opens, Chinese metal flows back offshore via Southeast Asia
Copper CU	234.3 kt	72.4 kt (-17,120)	750.9 kt	31,462 (-751)	-791 Dual-session checked	-22,411	LME is draining while COMEX holds 751kt; import P&L is -791 yuan/t and the window remains closed
Aluminium AL	246.7 kt	391.5 kt (-12,299)	1.7 kt	245,510 (-5,664)	-2,951 Dual-session checked	-6,068	Import P&L is -2,951 yuan/t; SHFE stocks are 391.5kt and the window is firmly shut
Tin SN	5.5 kt	6.4 kt (+363)	—	—	-13,693 Dual-session checked	-88,118	Both same-day AM and PM observations are negative; the import window is closed
Lead PB	406.2 kt	73.1 kt (-1,914)	1.4 kt	56,940 (-51)	+182 Near parity	-5,351	Inside the noise band; treated as near parity, not a confirmed opening
Nickel NI	268.4 kt	112.1 kt (-150)	—	101,471 (+327)	-682 Dual-session checked	-33,215	PM is negative and AM/PM straddle zero, so the window is near parity

* SHFE stocks are weekly (28-Aug-26); COMEX copper is read as reported; import P&L uses latest same-day PM with AM as a direction check.

Metal by Metal

Click any metal to expand / collapse

Zinc ZNRisk level Extreme lending guidance Cancel 22.8%C-3M +199Cover 21.0× ▼ expand

The deepest backwardation of the six (4.9%); stocks and concentration tightening together

Closing stock

98.0 kt

+0.1k d/d · 1w +3.8%

On-warrant stock

75.6 kt

1M -10.6%

Cancellation ratio

22.8%

1w +16.3pp

Cash–3M

+198.9

back 4.86% · 1w +94.430d high

Off-warrant (T-3)

25.0 kt

below on-warrant

Stock structure (1M, daily)

Stack = closing stock

On-warrantCancelled

Cancellation ratio (1M)

cancelled ÷ closing stock

Cash–3M spread (1M)

Positive = backwardation; T-1

MOC front curve (to +3M) (08-26)

By prompt date; downward slope = backwardation

The delivery horizon — prompt OI vs on-warrant stock (lots)

Every prompt at its true calendar date; needles above the red line exceed on-warrant stock in lot-equivalent; shading = countdown to M1; ↺ = backfilled from the prior snapshot

The cumulative public prompt-OI proxy through M1 (2026-09-16) is 63,410 lots ≈ 1,585kt — 21.0× on-warrant stock.

Futures position banding (08-26)

Band scale: occupied segments light up; further right = more concentrated

5-9%10-19%20-29%30-39%40%+

SEP26L

OCT26L

NOV26L

Cell value = number of holders in that band (as of the data date). The further right the longs sit, the stronger the potential pull on the front of the curve.

Warrant / Tom / Cash holdings concentration (08-26)

The closer to the red line, the closer to the mandatory-lending zone

▲ 50% lending-guidance line

30-40%40-50%50-80%80-90%90%+

Warrant holdings

×1

Tom exposure

×1×1

Cash exposure

×1

Crossing the red line triggers the LME lending-guidance obligation (50-80%: lend tom-next at ≤0.5% of cash/day; 80-90%: ≤0.25%; 90%+: at level).

Holder ≥50% on the books · lending guidance active Structure is delivery-sensitive; the margins to watch are cancellations, concentration and off-warrant flows. Structural observations only; not investment advice.

INTERNAL-EDITION SECTIONS

Desk viewSame-day desk read and risk flags on zincINTERNAL

Score decomposition & watch levelsWhat builds the composite score — and the trigger levelsINTERNAL

Day-by-day band trackingDays on the 90%+ band, and the migration pathINTERNAL

Unlock the internal edition →

Copper CURisk level High Cancel 54.3%C-3M +171Cover 16.8× ▼ expand

“What do you deliver?” — cumulative public OI through M1 runs ~17× on-warrant stock, 13 trading days to M1

Closing stock

234.3 kt

-1.3k d/d · 1w -2.4%

On-warrant stock

107.0 kt

1M -5.6%

Cancellation ratio

54.3%

1w +23.8pp

Cash–3M

+171.4

back 1.19% · 1w +76.7

Off-warrant (T-3)

116.2 kt

> on-warrant · relief buffer

Stock structure (1M, daily)

Stack = closing stock

On-warrantCancelled

Cancellation ratio (1M)

cancelled ÷ closing stock

Cash–3M spread (1M)

Positive = backwardation; T-1

MOC front curve (to +3M) (08-26)

By prompt date; downward slope = backwardation

The delivery horizon — prompt OI vs on-warrant stock (lots)

Every prompt at its true calendar date; needles above the red line exceed on-warrant stock in lot-equivalent; shading = countdown to M1; ↺ = backfilled from the prior snapshot

The cumulative public prompt-OI proxy through M1 (2026-09-16) is 72,110 lots ≈ 1,803kt — 16.8× on-warrant stock.

Futures position banding (08-26)

Band scale: occupied segments light up; further right = more concentrated

5-9%10-19%20-29%30-39%40%+

SEP26L

OCT26L

NOV26L

Cell value = number of holders in that band (as of the data date). The further right the longs sit, the stronger the potential pull on the front of the curve.

Warrant / Tom / Cash holdings concentration (08-26)

The closer to the red line, the closer to the mandatory-lending zone

▲ 50% lending-guidance line

30-40%40-50%50-80%80-90%90%+

Warrant holdings

×1

Tom exposure

×1

Cash exposure

×1

Crossing the red line triggers the LME lending-guidance obligation (50-80%: lend tom-next at ≤0.5% of cash/day; 80-90%: ≤0.25%; 90%+: at level).

Holders present in the 30-50% bands Structure is delivery-sensitive; the margins to watch are cancellations, concentration and off-warrant flows. Structural observations only; not investment advice.

INTERNAL-EDITION SECTIONS

Desk viewSame-day desk read and risk flags on copperINTERNAL

Score decomposition & watch levelsWhat builds the composite score — and the trigger levelsINTERNAL

Day-by-day band trackingDays on the 30-40% band, and the migration pathINTERNAL

Unlock the internal edition →

Aluminium ALRisk level Moderate Cancel 1.3%C-3M -5Cover 10.5× ▼ expand

Concentrated but capped by lending guidance; the inventory side stays loose

Closing stock

246.7 kt

-0.1k d/d · 1w -0.1%

On-warrant stock

243.4 kt

1M -0.8%31d low

Cancellation ratio

1.3%

1w +0.4pp

Cash–3M

-5.0

contango 0.16% · 1w -13.1

Off-warrant (T-3)

86.3 kt

below on-warrant

Stock structure (1M, daily)

Stack = closing stock

On-warrantCancelled

Cancellation ratio (1M)

cancelled ÷ closing stock

Cash–3M spread (1M)

Positive = backwardation; T-1

MOC front curve (to +3M) (08-26)

By prompt date; downward slope = backwardation

The delivery horizon — prompt OI vs on-warrant stock (lots)

Every prompt at its true calendar date; needles above the red line exceed on-warrant stock in lot-equivalent; shading = countdown to M1; ↺ = backfilled from the prior snapshot

The cumulative public prompt-OI proxy through M1 (2026-09-16) is 102,492 lots ≈ 2,562kt — 10.5× on-warrant stock.

Futures position banding (08-26)

Band scale: occupied segments light up; further right = more concentrated

5-9%10-19%20-29%30-39%40%+

SEP26L

OCT26L

NOV26L

Cell value = number of holders in that band (as of the data date). The further right the longs sit, the stronger the potential pull on the front of the curve.

Warrant / Tom / Cash holdings concentration (08-26)

The closer to the red line, the closer to the mandatory-lending zone

▲ 50% lending-guidance line

30-40%40-50%50-80%80-90%90%+

Warrant holdings

×1

Tom exposure

Cash exposure

Crossing the red line triggers the LME lending-guidance obligation (50-80%: lend tom-next at ≤0.5% of cash/day; 80-90%: ≤0.25%; 90%+: at level).

Holders present in the 30-50% bands In the escalation-watch zone; concentration and cancellation momentum will decide direction. Structural observations only; not investment advice.

INTERNAL-EDITION SECTIONS

Desk viewSame-day desk read and risk flags on aluminiumINTERNAL

Score decomposition & watch levelsWhat builds the composite score — and the trigger levelsINTERNAL

Day-by-day band trackingDays on the 30-40% band, and the migration pathINTERNAL

Unlock the internal edition →

Tin SNRisk level Low Cancel 12.2%C-3M -360Cover 5.3× ▼ expand

Very thin absolute stock (5.5kt); structure is sensitive to any single participant

Closing stock

5.5 kt

-0.0k d/d · 1w +2.2%

On-warrant stock

4.9 kt

1M -19.1%

Cancellation ratio

12.2%

1w +1.2pp

Cash–3M

-360.0

contango 0.65% · 1w -345.0

Off-warrant (T-3)

1.3 kt

below on-warrant

Stock structure (1M, daily)

Stack = closing stock

On-warrantCancelled

Cancellation ratio (1M)

cancelled ÷ closing stock

Cash–3M spread (1M)

Positive = backwardation; T-1

MOC front curve (to +3M) (08-26)

By prompt date; downward slope = backwardation

The delivery horizon — prompt OI vs on-warrant stock (lots)

Every prompt at its true calendar date; needles above the red line exceed on-warrant stock in lot-equivalent; shading = countdown to M1; ↺ = backfilled from the prior snapshot

The cumulative public prompt-OI proxy through M1 (2026-09-16) is 5,203 lots ≈ 26kt — 5.3× on-warrant stock.

Futures position banding (08-26)

Band scale: occupied segments light up; further right = more concentrated

5-9%10-19%20-29%30-39%40%+

SEP26L

OCT26L

211

NOV26L

Cell value = number of holders in that band (as of the data date). The further right the longs sit, the stronger the potential pull on the front of the curve.

Warrant / Tom / Cash holdings concentration (08-26)

The closer to the red line, the closer to the mandatory-lending zone

▲ 50% lending-guidance line

30-40%40-50%50-80%80-90%90%+

Warrant holdings

Tom exposure

Cash exposure

Crossing the red line triggers the LME lending-guidance obligation (50-80%: lend tom-next at ≤0.5% of cash/day; 80-90%: ≤0.25%; 90%+: at level).

No significant concentration in the Holdings report Loose on every dimension; nothing on the near-term watch list. Structural observations only; not investment advice.

INTERNAL-EDITION SECTIONS

Desk viewSame-day desk read and risk flags on tinINTERNAL

Score decomposition & watch levelsWhat builds the composite score — and the trigger levelsINTERNAL

Day-by-day band trackingBand migration path and persistenceINTERNAL

Unlock the internal edition →

Lead PBRisk level Low Cancel 12.8%C-3M -35Cover 2.4× ▼ expand

Loose on both ends

Closing stock

406.2 kt

-2.2k d/d · 1w -2.6%

On-warrant stock

354.1 kt

1M -4.1%

Cancellation ratio

12.8%

1w +1.5pp

Cash–3M

-35.4

contango 1.88% · 1w -40.7

Off-warrant (T-3)

48.7 kt

below on-warrant

Stock structure (1M, daily)

Stack = closing stock

On-warrantCancelled

Cancellation ratio (1M)

cancelled ÷ closing stock

Cash–3M spread (1M)

Positive = backwardation; T-1

MOC front curve (to +3M) (08-26)

By prompt date; downward slope = backwardation

The delivery horizon — prompt OI vs on-warrant stock (lots)

Every prompt at its true calendar date; needles above the red line exceed on-warrant stock in lot-equivalent; shading = countdown to M1; ↺ = backfilled from the prior snapshot

The cumulative public prompt-OI proxy through M1 (2026-09-16) is 34,159 lots ≈ 854kt — 2.4× on-warrant stock.

Futures position banding (08-26)

Band scale: occupied segments light up; further right = more concentrated

5-9%10-19%20-29%30-39%40%+

SEP26L

OCT26L

NOV26L

Cell value = number of holders in that band (as of the data date). The further right the longs sit, the stronger the potential pull on the front of the curve.

Warrant / Tom / Cash holdings concentration (08-26)

The closer to the red line, the closer to the mandatory-lending zone

▲ 50% lending-guidance line

30-40%40-50%50-80%80-90%90%+

Warrant holdings

Tom exposure

Cash exposure

Crossing the red line triggers the LME lending-guidance obligation (50-80%: lend tom-next at ≤0.5% of cash/day; 80-90%: ≤0.25%; 90%+: at level).

No significant concentration in the Holdings report Loose on every dimension; nothing on the near-term watch list. Structural observations only; not investment advice.

INTERNAL-EDITION SECTIONS

Desk viewSame-day desk read and risk flags on leadINTERNAL

Score decomposition & watch levelsWhat builds the composite score — and the trigger levelsINTERNAL

Day-by-day band trackingBand migration path and persistenceINTERNAL

Unlock the internal edition →

Nickel NIRisk level Low Cancel 3.7%C-3M -154Cover 1.5× ▼ expand

Loose across the board; the import window remains closed after cross-checking

Closing stock

268.4 kt

+0.0k d/d · 1w +0.1%

On-warrant stock

258.3 kt

1M +1.1%

Cancellation ratio

3.7%

1w +0.4pp

Cash–3M

-154.3

contango 0.92% · 1w -166.431d high

Off-warrant (T-3)

98.4 kt

below on-warrant

Stock structure (1M, daily)

Stack = closing stock

On-warrantCancelled

Cancellation ratio (1M)

cancelled ÷ closing stock

Cash–3M spread (1M)

Positive = backwardation; T-1

MOC front curve (to +3M) (08-26)

By prompt date; downward slope = backwardation

The delivery horizon — prompt OI vs on-warrant stock (lots)

Every prompt at its true calendar date; needles above the red line exceed on-warrant stock in lot-equivalent; shading = countdown to M1; ↺ = backfilled from the prior snapshot

The cumulative public prompt-OI proxy through M1 (2026-09-16) is 64,916 lots ≈ 389kt — 1.5× on-warrant stock.

Futures position banding (08-26)

Band scale: occupied segments light up; further right = more concentrated

5-9%10-19%20-29%30-39%40%+

SEP26L

OCT26L

NOV26L

Cell value = number of holders in that band (as of the data date). The further right the longs sit, the stronger the potential pull on the front of the curve.

Warrant / Tom / Cash holdings concentration (08-26)

The closer to the red line, the closer to the mandatory-lending zone

▲ 50% lending-guidance line

30-40%40-50%50-80%80-90%90%+

Warrant holdings

Tom exposure

Cash exposure

Crossing the red line triggers the LME lending-guidance obligation (50-80%: lend tom-next at ≤0.5% of cash/day; 80-90%: ≤0.25%; 90%+: at level).

No significant concentration in the Holdings report Loose on every dimension; nothing on the near-term watch list. Structural observations only; not investment advice.

INTERNAL-EDITION SECTIONS

Desk viewSame-day desk read and risk flags on nickelINTERNAL

Score decomposition & watch levelsWhat builds the composite score — and the trigger levelsINTERNAL

Day-by-day band trackingBand migration path and persistenceINTERNAL

Unlock the internal edition →

Methodology & Data Notes

Squeeze-risk score (0–100, rule-based)

The score aggregates five structural dimensions — concentration, a cumulative public OI proxy through M1, momentum and spread confirmation among them — under fixed, auditable rules. Dimension definitions, weights and trigger levels are internal-edition content; the public edition shows risk levels and direction only.

LME Tom-Next lending rules

Position*	Max tom-next lending premium
50–79.99%	0.5% of prior cash price
80–89.99%	0.25% of prior cash price
90–100%	At level (no premium)

* Warrants + Tom + Cash ÷ live warrants. Tightness without a ≥50% holder has no such cap on the spread.

LME Front Month Lending Rules (effective 17 Mar 2026)

Cumulative Spot Futures Position / Total Available Stock	Maximum M1 lending premium
50–79.99%	3% of prior M1 official close
80–89.99%	1.5%
90–100%	At level

LME Notice 26/049. The official ratio needs member/client cumulative net positions and Total Available Stock, neither reproducible from public data. This report's all-market prompt OI through M1 divided by on-warrant stock is a conservative public proxy, not the official ratio or a breach test.

Data chain & lags

Reports are archived at 06:30 SGT. After the London 11:00 release window, the workflow allows a 30-minute buffer and refreshes at 18:30 SGT (19:30 in winter), retrying every 15 minutes through 20:30. Banding, Holdings, and OI each use and independently validate the Data Date printed on their source report; stocks/prices are T-1, while off-warrant stock is a T-3 voluntary disclosure and a floor estimate.

Data quality

This issue's sentinels: 0 missing OI rows backfilled from the prior snapshot (dashed in charts), 0 low-confidence banding rows flagged, 2 curve outliers excluded, 1 stock row(s) dropped on internal-consistency checks. A stock row that fails internal consistency (on-warrant + cancelled must equal total) is treated as an upstream OCR column shift and dropped in full for that date. Nothing unreliable is silently kept.

Disclaimer

This report is market-structure research for reference only and does not constitute investment advice, an offer or a solicitation; you act on it at your own risk. Built on official LME publications (T+2 lag); contains no real-time prices; no warranty is given as to accuracy, completeness or timeliness.

Copyright & redistribution

© 2026 BW Research. All rights reserved. The analytical framework, scoring system, charts and text are original works of BW Research protected by copyright. No reproduction, excerpting, redistribution, mirroring or commercial use without prior written permission; cite metalsgowhere.com when referencing. LME data remains the property of The London Metal Exchange.

INTERNAL EDITION · Beyond this public edition, the daily adds

Desk view

Same-day desk read and risk flags on all six metals

Strategy playbook

A full direction / structure / execution framework, risk-tiered

Score decomposition

Item-by-item breakdown of each 0-100 score, with watch levels

Band tracking

Daily migration across Banding / Holdings bands, with persistence

Data sentinels

Full transparency on OCR repairs, outliers and methodology notes

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Metals Go Where · 2026-08-28 · Built on official LME publications · Research only; not investment advice · Silver Market Structure Monitor → · © 2026 BW Research — all rights reserved; no redistribution without permission

BW Research · metalsgowhere.com

Metals Go Where2026-08-28

The Main Tension