Nexa Falls 7.77% as Buenaventura Drops 6.41% | Zinc, Oct 22
Key Facts
- Nexa Resources fell 7.77% to US$11.16 on Thursday 22 October, and Peru’s Buenaventura dropped 6.41% to US$28.49.
- Both shares fell far more than the market: the S&P 500 lost 1.21% and the Nasdaq about 2.6%.
- China’s refined-zinc output fell 6.4% in September from a year earlier, according to SMM, a metals data provider.
- The International Lead and Zinc Study Group reported a surplus of 120,000 tonnes of refined zinc in the first half of 2026.
- We have no verified zinc price for the day: so this wrap tracks Latin American zinc producers.
Today’s Focus
Latin American zinc producers fell sharply on Thursday, 22 October 2026. Nexa Resources lost 7.77% to US$11.16, and Peru’s Buenaventura lost 6.41% to US$28.49.
The falls were far bigger than the market’s: the S&P 500 lost 1.21% and the Nasdaq about 2.6%.
We could not verify a zinc price for Thursday, so we show the producers’ shares.
What matters today. Zinc producers carry more risk than the metal itself, and a global sell-off hit them twice as hard as the market.
01 The session in one read
Zinc producers had a hard session on Thursday, 22 October 2026. Nexa Resources, with zinc operations in Peru and Brazil, closed at US$11.16, down 7.77%.
Buenaventura, a Peruvian precious- and base-metals miner, slid 6.41% to US$28.49.
Global shares fell at the same time, so the move fits a broad risk-off day.
Zinc shares fell much more than the broad market, but we have no verified price to show whether the metal moved. The supply data we could confirm is mixed: Chinese output fell, while the study group reports a market surplus. The variable to watch is whether Nexa and Buenaventura recover on Friday.
02 The board
Nexa Resources closed at US$11.16, down from US$12.10. Buenaventura closed at US$28.49, down from US$30.44.
Both moves were several times larger than the fall in the S&P 500, which suggests investors demand a higher risk premium for Latin American mining shares when markets are nervous.
| Asset | Level | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Nexa Resources | US$11.16 | −7.77% |
| Buenaventura | US$28.49 | −6.41% |
Source: RT close, 2026-10-22. Where a commodity has no spot feed, an exchange-traded tracker or leading producer is shown as a labelled proxy.
Live Market IntelligenceThe live market board
Rio Times · Live Market Intelligence
Latin America — Cross-Market Board
| Instrument | Last | Change | YoY | Prev. | High | Low | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IBOV | 204,120.12 | -1.15% | +21.85% | 206,495.23 | 168,310 | 167,142 | — |
| IPSA | 10,780.31 | -1.88% | — | 10,987.14 | 11,210 | 10,984 | 1,513,213,483 |
| IPC MEX | 69,370.40 | -1.25% | +12.17% | 70,249.54 | 66,121 | 65,405 | 108,886,187 |
| MERVAL | 3,017,221 | — | +30.51% | 3,022,485 | 3,042,365 | 2,991,150 | — |
| COLCAP | 2,528.42 | -1.25% | — | 9.04 | 9.05 | 9.02 | 4,133 |
| BVL PERÚ | 59,561.23 | -4.26% | — | — | — | — | — |
| USD/BRL | 5.16 | +0.01% | -5.13% | 5.16 | 5.18 | 5.14 | — |
| EUR/BRL | 5.95 | +1.01% | -5.83% | 5.89 | 5.98 | 5.94 | — |
| USD/MXN | 17.06 | -0.24% | -8.58% | 17.10 | 17.08 | 17.01 | — |
| USD/CLP | 913.98 | +0.04% | -5.67% | 913.65 | 915.11 | 906.68 | — |
| USD/COP | 3,140 | +0.03% | -22.04% | 3,139 | 3,141 | 3,105 | — |
| USD/PEN | 3.36 | -0.66% | -4.82% | 3.38 | 3.38 | 3.35 | — |
| USD/ARS | 1,493 | +0.10% | +12.96% | 1,491 | 1,494 | 1,480 | — |
| USD/UYU | 40.27 | +1.24% | +1.80% | 39.77 | 40.27 | 40.23 | — |
| USD/PYG | 5,939 | +1.68% | -19.54% | 5,841 | 5,939 | 5,925 | — |
| USD/BOB | 11.64 | -0.76% | +72.04% | 11.73 | 11.72 | 11.64 | — |
| USD/DOP | 58.34 | +1.25% | -3.44% | 57.62 | 58.34 | 58.04 | — |
| USD/CRC | 445.92 | +0.89% | -9.71% | 441.97 | 448.50 | 445.92 | — |
03 What moved it
Global risk appetite was the main driver. US technology shares fell sharply and an oil rally raised inflation worries, so investors sold cyclical and emerging-market shares.
On supply, China’s refined-zinc output fell 6.4% in September from a year earlier, according to SMM. The International Lead and Zinc Study Group, however, reported a surplus of 120,000 tonnes of refined zinc in the first half of 2026, so supply is not tight everywhere.
04 The Latin American read
Peru is one of the world’s major zinc producers, and Brazil’s Nexa runs mines and smelters in both countries. A weaker price or a weaker share price quickly affects their investment plans.
US initial jobless claims fell to 194,000 against a forecast of 200,000 (RT economic calendar), which kept expectations of high US interest rates alive and supported the dollar.
05 The names to watch
Nexa Resources is the clearest listed zinc exposure in Latin America. Buenaventura mixes zinc with gold and silver, so it also moves with precious metals, which fell sharply on Thursday.
Investors should watch whether both shares recover on Friday.
06 The outlook
The near-term path depends on global risk appetite and on Chinese industrial data. A rebound in technology shares would probably help miners first.
We will publish a benchmark zinc price again when a verified source is available.
07 What to watch
- Global risk appetite: A recovery in technology shares would ease pressure on miners.
- Chinese industrial data: Output and demand figures steer zinc more than any other country’s.
- Study group data: Further surplus or deficit readings will show whether supply is tight.
- Precious metals: Gold and silver, which fell sharply, also drive Buenaventura.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Nexa and Buenaventura fall on Thursday?
Both fell in a global sell-off, Nexa 7.77% and Buenaventura 6.41%. We found no company news and no verified zinc price for the day.
Where does zinc come from in Latin America?
Peru is among the world’s largest zinc producers, and Brazil’s Nexa Resources runs zinc mines and smelters in Peru and Brazil.
What is zinc used for?
Zinc’s main use is as a coating that protects steel from rust, so demand follows construction and manufacturing.
Is the zinc market in surplus?
The International Lead and Zinc Study Group reported a surplus of 120,000 tonnes of refined zinc in the first half of 2026, although China’s output fell 6.4% in September.
Market data: RT
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief
LatAm Markets: Live Signals → — real-time movers, turnover leaders and FX across Latin America.