监管升级！LME或永久限制近月大额持仓，分析人士：有望重塑金属交易逻辑

Core Viewpoint - The London Metal Exchange (LME) is seeking feedback on a proposal to permanently limit large positions in near-month contracts, aiming to mitigate the risk of short squeezes in a low inventory environment and adapt to changes in the global metal market landscape [1][2]. Group 1: Risk Mitigation - The LME's adjustment of lending rules is driven by significant market risks due to declining inventories over the past two years, highlighted by events such as the nickel squeeze in 2022 and the copper inventory transfer in 2023 [2]. - The proposed Front Month Lending Rules aim to prevent short squeeze risks by permanently limiting large positions in near-month contracts, addressing the issues arising from low inventory levels [2][3]. - LME copper inventory dropped over 60% from 270,900 tons in early February to approximately 95,900 tons by the end of June, leading to significant price volatility in LME copper futures [2]. Group 2: New Rules and Their Implications - The temporary rules introduced in June required traders holding long positions in delivery month contracts to limit their total holdings to the available inventory, with excess positions needing to be closed or converted to zero premium lending [3]. - The new rules focus on "position control" and "liquidity supply," with specific thresholds for lending premiums based on the percentage of total inventory held [3][4]. - Analysts suggest that the implementation of these new rules will stabilize price volatility in the short term and reshape trading logic in the long term, enhancing market transparency and reducing the potential for manipulative practices [5][6]. Group 3: Market Dynamics and Strategic Considerations - The LME's recent initiatives indicate a strategic focus on better serving the Chinese market, including establishing warehouses in Hong Kong and aligning offshore RMB collateral rates with other currencies [7]. - The LME's proposed changes are seen as a shift towards proactive regulation, moving from reactive measures to preventive strategies in global metal market oversight [8]. - The feedback period for the proposed rules will last until November 21, with market participants keenly observing potential adjustments to the tiered thresholds [8].