Zinc Prices on the Rise...Re-visited

After a very lackluster 1st quarter of 2007....SHG zinc prices are on the rise again. After seeing prices reach above $2.00/lb. ($4302/MT) in Dec. 2006, the price of zinc dropped to an average of $1.72/lb. ($3786/MT) in Jan. 2007. Then, continueing to decline to an average price of $1.50/lb. ($3309/MT) in Feb. 2007, and yet again to an average price of $1.48/lb. ($3271/MT) in Mar. 2007.
Just as you the consumer may have thought prices were going to continue to decline and you could afford to purchase larger quantities or avoid that next price increase, the 2nd quarter started. It started, and it has not stopped, all the while consumption is down globally and supply is robust. The price of zinc increased to $1.61/lb. ($3557/MT) in April and today is trading @ over $1.86/lb. ($4120/MT). This is approximately a 26% increase over this year's lowest average price.
Hindsight is always 20/20 and the crystal ball is always fuzzy. Check out the attachment supporting the volatility in price. And also, keep yourself informed, utilize your tools and contacts to find out the latest on all metal prices, even if its picking up the newspaper and seeing what the market is offering.
Good luck to all of you, be kind to your suppliers, it is a global market you know. That's what I zinc, anyway.