Under-investment in zinc mines during the economic downturn over the last 10 years has led to shortfall of the metal: LME zinc inventories have slumped below 180,000 tonnes, of which less than 100,000 tonnes is available to market - the least since 2008. In China, exchange stockpiles ticked higher last week but also remain close to 10-year lows. The dollar crawled up from lows on Monday but struggled to pull ahead from six straight weeks of losses on its evaporating yield advantage and doubts about Washington's commitment to a strong currency.
China's economic growth will likely slow to 6.5-6.8 percent this year, a senior official at the country's top economic planner wrote in the Beijing Daily on Monday, while warning about the risks of "Black Swan" and "Gray Rhino" events.