Nickel strengthened by Rs 2 per kg on the local non-ferrous base metals market today largely on increased buying by stockists in line with firming global trend.
Copper and other base metals, however, held steady in thin trade.
Traders said sentiment in nickel remained firm after the metal climbed to a 15-month high in global markets on concern that global supplies will be disrupted as tensions between Russia and Ukraine were escalating and Indonesia banned ore exports.
Meanwhile, nickel for delivery in three months added 0.8 per cent to 18,700 a metric tonne on the London Metal Exchange.
In the national capital, nickel (4x4) advanced by 2 to Rs 1,077-1,078 per kg.
The following were today's metal rates per kg:
Zinc ingot 117-123, nickel plate (4x4) 1,077-1,078 gun metal scrap 227, bell metal scrap 229, copper mixed scrap 435, chadri deshi 285.
Lead ingot 126, lead imported 124, aluminium ingots 148,Aluminium sheet cutting 149, aluminium wire scrap 151 and aluminium utensils scrap 148.
