Forecasts for more frigid weather in the United States this week supported Chinese lead futures on Thursday amid expectations of seasonally strong demand and likely winter shortages. The most-trade lead contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange closed up 0.81 percent at 19,405 yuan ($2,983.50) a tonne on Thursday.

More than 80 percent of global lead consumption is for batteries mainly for autos, and the peak demand period is during the height of winter when freezing temperatures cause battery failures. China accounts for about 40 percent of global lead demand, estimated at around 12 million tonnes this year, but faces a potential supply shortfall over coming months due to an environmental crackdown on polluting industries.

Copyright Reuters, 2018