MARKET TALK: Zinc May Range Trade Until After Lunar New Year

LME zinc likely to stay near $3,200/ton until after Lunar New Year, says trader at major Japan house. Metal's technicals, fundamentals firmer but rally unlikely until Chinese physical consumers return to market after break, may then push towards $3,400-$3,500. LME 3-month zinc +15 cents on London PM kerb at $3,220.15, untraded in Asia, slightly above 10-day moving average at $3,176.