The global stainless steel market navigated a series of sharp sentiment. The opening weeks saw Indonesia's mill closures and price hikes push the cost narrative to its highest point of the year, before a combination of easing geopolitical tensions triggered the first price reduction since December 2025. The month's defining characteristic was similar to April's. What differentiated May was the sharply higher amplitude of both the policy signals and the emotional swings that accompanied them.

[SMM Morning Meeting Minutes: SHFE tin swung wildly throughout the week at 394,000-411,000 yuan/mt; amid a supply-demand stalemate, it is expected to continue consolidating at highs.]

[Geopolitical Risks Dominate Market, SHFE and LME Both Move Lower] At the start of the week, the situation in the Middle East remained volatile, and LME zinc fluctuated; subsequently, the US dollar index declined, and LME zinc rose; however, as market expectations for the US Fed to maintain higher interest rates for longer intensified and the US struck Iran, the center of LME zinc shifted lower; then, Trump announced the resumption of “heavy strikes” against Iran, the US-Iran ceasefire agreement was disrupted, and LME zinc quickly moved lower...

[SMM Magnesium Weekly Review: Intensified Supply-Demand Tug-of-War, Magnesium Ingot Market Remains in Stalemate and Consolidation This Week] This week, the overall market for dolomite and magnesium products remained stable, with the market showing a supply-strong, demand-weak pattern. Dolomite quarries in Wutai, Shanxi, were shut down due to environmental protection measures, leading to localized tight supply of high-grade dolomite. However, national inventory remained ample, and downstream users purchased as needed, keeping prices stable. Magnesium ingot supply in major production areas was abundant, while downstream buyers only made just-in-time procurement, resulting in a stagnant market. Export orders were sluggish, with a strong wait-and-see sentiment. Magnesium powder followed the raw material trend, and the industry was in the demand off-season, with mediocre domestic and foreign trade transactions. Magnesium alloy production was steady, but enterprise orders diverged. Some producers saw rising inventory, an increase in low-priced supply, and a widening price spread. The supply-demand tug-of-war across the industry chain intensified, and short-term price fluctuations for various product categories remained limited, with the market expected to continue running steadily.

[Geopolitical News Disruptions Continue, SHFE and LME Maintain Fluctuating Trend] At the beginning of the week, mixed news on Middle East peace talks rekindled short-term risk-averse sentiment in the market. Sporadic conflicts persisted, the tariff outlook remained unclear, and LME zinc continued to rise......

[SMM Magnesium Weekly Review: Limited Support from Raw Materials, Magnesium Products Overall in the Doldrums This Week] This week, prices of various products across the industry chain followed magnesium ingots in a weak consolidation trend. Dolomite supplies were replenished adequately across regions; although raw materials tightened in some areas, overall inventory remained ample, and ex-factory prices stayed stable. Magnesium ingot prices in major producing areas first declined then stabilized during the week, with weekly quotes lowered by 250 yuan/mt. Low-priced factories held back from selling, supporting prices to stop falling, while downstream buyers restocked on an as-needed basis. FOB quotes at Tianjin port saw limited fluctuations, and a wait-and-see approach outside China led to sluggish transactions. Magnesium powder stabilized after declining alongside raw materials, with both domestic and external demand in the off-season, limited to just-in-time procurement. Magnesium alloy prices weakened, dragged down by raw materials. Demand divergence was evident, with moderate automotive orders but weak two-wheeler demand. The market faced oversupply, and enterprises lowered processing fees to boost shipments.