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Nickel strikes 8-month high as unrest in New Caledonia sets off supply worries

Nickel costs in London surged more than 6% on Friday to their greatest levels in 8 months, boosted by funds inflow, supply interruption issues in New Caledonia and China's latest rollout of assistance measures.

New Caledonia, a French-ruled Pacific island, accounted for 6% of worldwide mine nickel output last year, according to data by the International Nickel Study Group.

Three-month nickel on London Metal Exchange (LME). leapt 4.7% to $20,375 by 0808 GMT, having actually risen as much as. 6.8% to $21,150 earlier in the session, a level unseen given that. Aug. 25, 2023.

The most-traded July nickel contract on the Shanghai Futures. Exchange (SHFE) wound up 5.2% at 153,460 yuan. ($ 21,252.79), the greatest close given that October 2023.

A trader cited unrest in New Caledonia as a factor for the. price rally, while a broker said stop loss orders were. set off.

French cops reinforcements have started getting here in New. Caledonia as part of a massive operation to regain control of. the capital Noumea, the top French official stated.

Traders contemplate supply interruptions in New Caledonia. Mining operations on the planet's 3rd biggest nickel manufacturer. were suspended, ANZ analysts said in a note.

Other base metals also increased, as funds bought metals to hedge. against sticky inflation, and on supply disturbances, need. growth outlook amidst the worldwide shift into a green economy,. and prospects of U.S. rate cuts.

An expert suggested metals prices were likewise supported by. China's historic steps to enable city governments to purchase. some apartments, relax home mortgage rules and promise to provide. unfinished homes.

LME copper increased 0.5% to $10,472.50 per metric lot,. aluminium increased 0.2% to $2,591 a heap, zinc. innovative 0.1% to $2,961.50, tin climbed 1.1% to $34,095,. while lead fell 0.5% to $2,282.

LME copper struck $10,555 a ton previously in the session, only. $ 290 listed below its record-high level, while SHFE copper. leapt to a record peak of 84,500 yuan a load - both were partially. pushed up by a short capture in the CME copper futures contract.

SHFE aluminium increased 1.2% to 20,930 yuan, zinc. increased 0.3% to 23,775 yuan, tin advanced 1%. to 276,990 yuan, while lead was nearly flat at 18,695. yuan.

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(source: Reuters)