SMM News, March 31: Today, in Guangdong, spot premiums for #1 copper cathode against the front-month contract were reported at 140 yuan/mt for high-quality copper, up 10 yuan/mt from the previous trading day; 50 yuan/mt for standard-quality copper, up 10 yuan/mt from yesterday; and a discount of 10 yuan/mt for SX-EW copper, up 10 yuan/mt from yesterday. The average price of #1 copper cathode in Guangdong was 95,780 yuan/mt, up 555 yuan/mt from the previous trading day, while the average price of SX-EW copper was 95,675 yuan/mt, also up 555 yuan/mt from the previous trading day. Spot market: Today, Guangdong inventory continued its downward trend and has now declined for 11 consecutive working days. As a result, suppliers remained firmly bullish and continued to hold prices firm for shipments, but restocking interest from traders and end-user enterprises was weak at month-end, and market trading was expected to recover tomorrow. Today, procurement sentiment for copper cathode in Guangdong was 2.38, down 0.13 from the previous trading day, while shipment sentiment was 3.43, down 0.2 from the previous trading day (historical data is available in the database). Overall, market trading was sluggish at month-end, but spot premiums remained firm.
Mar 31, 2026 11:41SMM Nickel News, March 31: Macro and market news: (1) The State Administration for Market Regulation issued a notice on further implementing the Anti-Unfair Competition Law of the People's Republic of China. The notice mentioned comprehensively addressing "involution-style" competition. It said various anti-unfair competition measures would be used in a coordinated manner to focus on preventing and curbing "involution-style" competition in key industries and sectors such as the platform economy, PV, lithium battery, and NEV. (2) Iran's parliamentary National Security Commission passed a bill proposing to charge fees on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The plan included implementing financial arrangements and a charging system in Iranian rial, and banning US and Israeli vessels from passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Spot market: On March 31, the SMM price of #1 refined nickel fell by 750 yuan/mt from the previous trading day. In terms of spot premiums, the average price premium of Jinchuan #1 refined nickel was 3,750 yuan/mt, down 1,000 yuan/mt from the previous trading day; the spot premiums for mainstream domestic brands of electrodeposited nickel were in the range of -800-400 yuan/mt. Futures market: The most-traded SHFE nickel contract (2605) continued to decline in early trading and closed the morning session at 134,370 yuan/mt, down 1.13%. Supply side, tightening in nickel ore has evolved into dual cost support from "ore + taxes," providing solid support for the bottom of nickel prices, but weak end-use demand and continued inventory accumulation still capped upside room for nickel prices. Nickel prices are expected to maintain a fluctuating trend in the short term, with the core trading range of the most-traded SHFE nickel contract at 133,000-143,000 yuan/mt.
Mar 31, 2026 11:35Today, spot #1 copper cathode in North China was quoted at discounts of 120–60 yuan/mt against the front-month contract, with the average price down 20 yuan/mt from the previous trading day, and the average transaction price up 385 yuan/mt from the previous trading day to 95,565 yuan/mt.
Mar 31, 2026 11:13[Supply Tightening Coupled With Macro Tailwinds Keeps Aluminum Prices Firmly at High Levels] Overall, the geopolitical situation in the Middle East remains the core factor affecting the global aluminum market. A series of production cuts and damage incidents at Middle Eastern aluminum plants is expected to provide strong upward momentum for aluminum prices in and outside China, together with support from expectations of gradually releasing peak-season demand in China. In the short term, aluminum prices are expected to remain in a high-level consolidation pattern.
Mar 31, 2026 09:12SMM Morning Meeting Summary: Overnight, LME copper opened at $12,223/mt. In early trading, it saw wide swings and climbed to $12,278/mt. Subsequently, the center of copper prices moved straight downward to a low of $12,153.5/mt, before fluctuating widely again and finally closing at $12,195/mt, up 0.44. Trading volume reached 15,300 lots, and open interest stood at 295,000 lots, down 454 lots from the previous trading day. Overnight, the most-traded SHFE copper 2605 contract opened at 96,100 yuan/mt and hit a high of 96,240 yuan/mt in early trading. Subsequently, the center of copper prices gradually moved lower to 95,210 yuan/mt, before fluctuating rangebound and finally closing at 95,350 yuan/mt, down 0.05. Trading volume reached 36,500 lots, and open interest stood at 183,000 lots, down 2,394 lots from the previous trading day, mainly due to bulls reducing positions.
Mar 31, 2026 09:10[SMM Lead Morning Meeting Summary: Macro Factors and Fundamentals Present Both Bullish and Bearish Signals, and Lead Prices May Continue to Consolidate in the Short Term] Fed Chairman Powell released dovish signals, and the market once again bet on the possibility of an interest rate cut within the year. Recently, production at primary lead and secondary lead smelters has resumed, supply has been relatively ample, and imported lead has continued to flow into China...
Mar 31, 2026 09:00SMM Clarification Statement SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "SMM" or "the Company"), as a professional spot market price reporting agency and information provider, has recently noticed the circulation of false information regarding the fairness of SMM's price assessment. To avoid market misunderstandings, maintain a healthy and transparent market environment, and protect the Company's legitimate rights and interests, SMM hereby makes the following solemn clarification and statement: I. The Difference Between Spot Prices and Futures Prices is a Normal Reflection of Market Mechanisms According to basic economic principles, spot prices reflect the immediate supply-demand relationship and deliverable transaction conditions of the underlying asset, while futures prices reflect market expectations for future supply and demand, including factors such as capital cost and carrying costs. Both follow the principle of "convergence at maturity," meaning that futures prices gradually converge towards spot prices as the contract expiration date approaches. Therefore, during the life of the contract, the difference between spot prices and futures prices, especially with far-month contracts, is a normal phenomenon under the market pricing mechanism. II. Historical Data Proves the Rationality of the Price Spread Structure To objectively present the facts, SMM has made a price spread analysis chart based on publicly available market data: The chart clearly shows that from September 2023 to 2025, the monthly price spread between the SMM battery-grade lithium carbonate average price and the GFEX lithium carbonate futures contract prices fluctuated between positive and negative territory, always remaining within a reasonable range, and exhibited a significant convergence trend as the contract expiration date approached. This fully aligns with the market rule of futures and spot price convergence. Comparing a certain periods' futures prices (especially those of far-month most-traded contracts) with spot assessment prices and concluding that there is a "consistent significant deviation" is fundamentally flawed in methodology and can easily mislead market judgment. Any behavior that selectively highlights short-term trends in the price spread without considering the broader context is partial and irresponsible, failing to reflect the overall market situation. III. Recent Market Risk Control Measures Recently, to maintain the stable operation of the lithium carbonate futures market and prevent potential risks, the Guangzhou Futures Exchange, in accordance with its risk management rules, issued multiple notifications consecutively between November and December 2025, implementing a series of risk control measures for relevant contracts, including adjustments to transaction fee standards and trading limits. These measures represent the exchange's commitment to fulfill its self-regulatory duties in accordance with the law during specific market periods, aiming to promote the steady development of the market. IV. The Emergence, Nature, and Harm of False Information It is noteworthy that during this sensitive period, when the aforementioned risk control measures were being intensively implemented, a significant amount of false information began circulating on the Internet. While such information varies in content, it shares an identical core narrative: False claims have been made that SMM’s prices "consistently and significantly deviate from fair value and futures prices" and that "there are illegal benefit-related connections with certain institutions". These claims are entirely groundless. The timing and manner of their dissemination indicate that their purpose is not professional discussion but rather an attempt to exert improper pressure on SMM by confusing the price logic of spot and futures markets, interfere with the neutrality of spot price assessments, and consequently potentially mislead market expectations and disrupt the normal relationship between futures and spot prices. SMM hereby solemnly declares that SMM is always committed to price discovery in the spot market, does not participate in any futures market trading operations, and resolutely maintains market order. V. The Compliance, Neutrality, and Supervision Mechanisms of SMM's Price Assessment As a professional market price assessment agency, SMM always adheres to the principles of neutrality, objectivity, and fairness. SMM's price assessment methodology strictly follows the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) "Principles for Financial Benchmarks" and is subject to audits by independent third-party audit firms. In terms of internal governance, SMM has established a comprehensive firewall system to ensure that personnel and management involved in the price assessment process do not hold any related futures or spot positions, thereby eliminating conflicts of interest at an institutional level. SMM also has no history of any penalties from securities regulatory authorities for violations. We consistently maintain an open attitude towards market supervision based on facts. VI. Appeal to the Public SMM strongly condemns the recent malicious fabrication and dissemination of false information in the market, which damages SMM's commercial reputation and attempts to disrupt the order of the futures and spot markets, and has initiated legal proceedings to protect its rights. Currently, SMM is comprehensively and continuously collecting and preserving evidence related to the infringements. For suspected infringing acts, the Company will take all legal measures, including but not limited to reporting to relevant regulatory authorities and filing complaints with relevant online platforms, to resolutely pursue the legal liability of the infringing parties. SMM reserves the right to pursue all legal consequences against the relevant responsible parties. We once again call on all market participants to enhance their legal awareness and professional discernment capabilities, obtain information from authoritative channels, analyze the market rationally, resolutely resist and refuse to spread any unverified and unfounded rumors, and jointly maintain a fair, orderly, and healthy development environment for the industry chain. SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd. Dec 26, 2025
Dec 26, 2025 17:301. SMM 8μm Lithium Battery Copper Foil premium, cif Korea, $/tonne Methodology 1.1 General Principles of SMM Price Assessment Methodology SMM (hereinafter referred to as SMM) is a completely independent third-party service provider that does not participate in any substantive transactions. Instead, it maintains close communication with buyers or sellers in transactions as a market observer or organizer, and provides relevant services to the market. SMM continuously formulates, reviews, and revises its methodologies through communication with industry insiders, adopting the most common product specifications, trade terms, and trade conditions in the industry. It attaches equal importance to normal transactions that meet the specification standards. SMM reserves the right to exclude any price data information deemed to be of poor reliability or non-representative from its price assessments. SMM publishes daily spot metal prices (or price indices, including those for the Chinese market, markets outside China, and global markets), commonly referred to as SMM prices. For each published SMM price, SMM has established a corresponding methodology (all of which are available for reference on SMM’s official website, www.smm.cn). The methodology specifies the methods and procedures for generating and publishing SMM prices, and SMM strictly adheres to these provisions when producing and releasing SMM prices. To align with the actual conditions of the spot market, SMM may make necessary revisions to its price assessment methodology. Such revisions will be announced on SMM’s official website, www.smm.cn, 28 days prior to their formal implementation. For any questions or suggestions regarding SMM prices or their methodology, please contact SMM customer service (contact information can be found on SMM’s official website, www.smm.cn). This document outlines the standards for establishing SMM 8μm Lithium Battery Copper Foil premium, cif Korea, $/tonne. The purpose of SMM in developing this standard is to establish a transparent and verifiable mechanism for SMM price determination. The SMM Benchmark Management Committee also regularly reviews the methodology and its assessment and publication processes. This committee oversees SMM’s methodology and compilation process, ensuring that the prices or indices reflect, as accurately as possible, the objective conditions of the physical spot market for the relevant commodities. If the committee identifies any issues, it will promptly highlight them and propose external consultation and revisions to the current methodology or processes, thereby enhancing the quality of the prices or indices published by SMM. The committee may only propose modifications to the methodology and procedures used for future price or index assessments it cannot alter already published prices or indices. 2. Formation of SMM 8μm Lithium Battery Copper Foil premium, cif Korea, $/tonne 2.1 Significance of the Price Assessment In recent years, with the implementation of domestic and overseas NEV policies and the rapid expansion of NEV production, copper foil used as the anode carrier in lithium-ion batteries has shown a surge in demand. Meanwhile, the new infrastructure wave represented by 5G, along with rapid developments in artificial intelligence, big data, and automotive electronics, has driven increasing demand for copper foil in related electronic circuit industries. The copper foil industry is also advancing toward higher precision, density, and reliability. As industry capacity rises and develops, and enterprises expand into overseas markets such as South Korea, there is a growing need for a fair and standardized operating environment. Copper foil processing fees, beneficial for long-term risk control and management, play a crucial role in the industry's development. In light of this, SMM will officially launch weekly SMM 8μm Lithium Battery Copper Foil premium, cif Korea, $/tonne starting December 26, 2025, at which time SMM price members will be able to simultaneously access historical prices. 2.2 SMM 8μm Lithium Battery Copper Foil premium, cif Korea, $/tonne Price Assessment Methodology 2.2.1 Product Specifications and Standards Given the wide variety of copper foil specifications, SMM uses the 8μm with the largest market share for copper foil premium assessments. The premium assessment adopts 8μm thickness product width: 700-1,000 mm product type: Power Battery with Ordinary Tensile Strength. KS C 2211-2002 Electrolytic Deposit Copper Foil for Printed Circuits standard. 2.2.2 Price Terms The price is a VAT-excluded CIF price at major ports in Korea based on the premium over LME CSP, with a quotation period of M+0 (M M stands for arrival month), quoted in USD per metric ton. 2.2.3 Payment Terms The price assessment reflects payment terms for cash transactions in the month of the transaction. Reference is made to major international payment methods (including D/P documents against payment, D/A documents against acceptance, T/T telegraphic transfer, etc.). If significant deviations from this standard occur, SMM will consider whether to exclude individual samples based on trade volume. For forward payments or letter of credit payments, SMM will adjust based on prevailing interest rates to align with this standard. 2.2.4 Delivery Time Within 4 weeks. 2.2.5 Reference Transaction Volume Min 25 tonnes. 2.2.6 Delivery Location Major Ports in Korea. 2.2.7 Price Publication Time Weekly, last trading day of the week, by 1pm Seoul time. 2.2.8 Price Format The assessed price are presented as a range, indicating the lowest and highest prices. For example: 8μm Lithium Battery Copper Foil premium, cif Korea, $/tonne range 3,000-4,000 $/tonne, average: 3,500 $/tonne. 2.2.9 Price Collection Method SMM will, in accordance with the price collection confirmation agreement, have price analysts regularly collect price information from copper foil industry price contacts via phone, QQ, WeChat, fax, and email. This price information includes concluded transaction prices, the enterprise's expected most likely pending transaction prices, etc. All instant messaging content, email communications, and any records of face-to-face communications will be archived details of phone communications will be recorded and entered into the database. SMM analysts must comply with the Compliance System when reporting any forced or threatened communications from market participants, or any induced offers attempting to influence the assessment. Once published, SMM will not revise or adjust the price on the same day. 2.2.9.1 Assessment (Calculation) of Published Prices Step-1: The final dataset from the previous chapter, which exists as a processing fee range, is split into several lower limit values and several upper limit values for two different types of enterprise classifications in this methodology version: copper foil producers and downstream end-users. Arithmetic averages are calculated for both sets and rounded to the nearest whole number. Among these: - When both transaction information and offer/counteroffer information are present, the weight of transaction information is set at 60%, and offer/counteroffer information at 40%. - When transaction information, offer/counteroffer information, and other information are all present, the weight of transaction information is set at 50%, offer/counteroffer information at 40%, and other information at 10%. - When only offer/counteroffer information and other information are present, the weight of offer/counteroffer information is set at 90%, and other information at 10%. Step-2: The two price ranges derived from the previous step, which exist as processing fee states, are split into two lower limit values and two upper limit values. Weights are applied, and weighted averages are calculated, then rounded to the nearest whole number. In this methodology version, copper foil producers are weighted at 50%, and downstream enterprises at 50%. Step-3: The relevant calculation coefficients above will be adjusted every six months to ensure timeliness. 2.2.9.2 Data Standardization Although SMM has standardized definitions for our prices, diversity exists in market transactions. The price of each transaction is influenced by numerous factors, including order size, brand of goods, delivery time, payment terms, etc. SMM will comprehensively consider market offers, bids, and transaction information, aligning them with our standards. Each price datum will be electronically recorded or accompanied by written records. All electronic and paper records must be archived by price collection personnel and retained long-term (at least 5 years) in secure network and physical environments. For details, please refer to the SMM Data Retention Policy. 2.2.9.3 Price Assessment Process The specific process is as follows: 2.3 Methodology Changes All markets change, and SMM has a responsibility to ensure that the methodology for market reports evolves with the market. Therefore, SMM will regularly conduct internal reviews of the methodology's appropriateness based on industry feedback. For all substantive but non-urgent potential modifications, SMM will follow a formal external consultation process. Major changes will then be announced with a notice period of at least 28 days, inviting industry comments, unless special circumstances, particularly force majeure (natural disasters, war, exchange bankruptcy, etc.), necessitate a shorter notice period. SMM is committed to carefully considering all comments on proposed methodology changes, but in some cases, it may be necessary to proceed with changes contrary to the wishes of some market participants. Additionally, SMM has a formal methodology consultation process. SMM commits to holding a formal consultation on the methodology every three years. The date of the last consultation and the deadline for the next consultation committed by SMM are located at the top of the methodology document. 2.4 Compliance with SMM Policies All relevant SMM employees must not only comply with the methodology published by SMM but also adhere to SMM's internal standards and policies. These include: SMM Conflict of Interest Policy, SMM Whistleblower Policy, SMM Error Correction Policy, SMM Methodology Review Consultation and Change Policy, SMM Complaints Policy, etc. Welcome more relevant enterprises in the industry chain to participate and support SMM in better serving related enterprises in the copper foil industry chain. For inquiries, please contact: Shanghai Metals Market Copper Research Team, Shanyu Jiang Contact: 021-20707916, +86 15615750662
PriceDec 23, 2025 15:00Dear User, Hello! With the evolution of global PV trade, N-type 210R wafers, as a core product from China, are being exported to global PV markets including India. To facilitate upstream and downstream enterprises in the PV industry chain to better understand the global market conditions for PV wafers, grasp real-time international spot price dynamics, and convey more comprehensive and diverse price information to the market, thereby reducing transaction risks and costs in overseas trade. After a period of consolidation and market surveys, SMM plans to officially add the "N-type 210R Wafer — India CIF" product price as a reference for market transactions starting from December 29, 2025. The published prices are all CIF prices for major Indian ports. The specific specifications and descriptions are as follows: Price Point Name: N-type 210R Wafer — India CIF Price Description: Product Specification: 210R Tax Standard: Excluding VAT Definition: CIF price for major Indian ports Unit: US dollar/piece Mainstream Brands: TCL Zhonghuan, Gokin Solar, Shuangliang, Adani Minimum Trading Volume: 100,000 pieces Update Frequency: Daily Maintenance Time: 11:20 BJT (8:50 IST) Payment Terms: Cash, and other payment methods standardized to cash SMM PV Research Team December 19, 2025
PriceDec 19, 2025 16:05