Sources are optimistic on the outlook of antimony

BEIJING (Asian Metal) 17 Jan 07 – The quiet antimony market keeps the price stable at around USD5,350-5,450/t in Rotterdam warehouse with sources still optimistic on the outlook of the market after the Spring Festival because the position of the market will come out by then.
Although few deals are being seen in the market at the current price level, some traders reported that consumers are trying to bid lower in an attempt to secure deals at lower prices but only those suppliers who wants to recoup cash will sell at anything below USD5,350/t in Rotterdam warehouse for standard grade two.
“We have to wait for the right time to sell,” said a European trader who concluded deals at around USD5,430/t in Rotterdam warehouse. “I have to confess that less deals of large quantities are being seen in the market now and most traders are worried some small traders might lower the price to push out material, thus , bringing the mainstream price down.”
Many European participants blamed the beginning of the year for the weak demand and expect to see active market by the middle of February when consumers most have settled down and reevaluate their inventories.
Still Optimistic on the future of the market, some suppliers in Europe are quoting as high as USD5,500-5,600/t in Rotterdam warehouse, patiently waiting to ink contracts at this level as they do not see the price curve of the material heading down.