As supply and demand for construction steel were not fully matched across different markets, regional supply-demand mismatches created price differentiation, which in turn drove the cross-regional circulation of steel resources. When the regional price spread gradient was appropriate, regions with surplus construction steel capacity and production often shipped excess resources out, thereby rebalancing construction steel resources across regions.

European smelters are purchasing less material and turning to export markets to manage inventories. Companies are becoming more cautious amid volatile market conditions.

Smart meter deployment in the UK has hit a slump, prompting the government to introduce stricter regulations for energy retailers to ensure full domestic coverage by the end of 2030. While 21.8 million smart electricity meters were operating by the end of 2025, 7.8 million traditional meters still need replacing. To meet the 'Clean Power 2030' target, suppliers must submit binding annual deployment plans to Ofgem, replace outdated 2G and 3G meters before the 2033 network switch-off, and adhere to a strict 90-day window to repair faulty units or face penalties. This regulatory push aligns with the UK's broader efforts to integrate residential batteries and EVs into grid flexibility markets.

“Gold’s status as a haven may now be tarnished in the eyes of some as the precious metal is falling in price even as war roils the Middle East and financial markets alike, and some may even be tempted to say that the third major bull run in the commodity since 1971 is now over,” says AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould.

SMM News: As of March 20, 2026, the market price for Praseodymium-Neodymium (Pr-Nd) metal in China stabilized temporarily at 890,000–910,000 RMB/ton. This article utilizes the SMM Pr-Nd Terminal Demand Calculation Model to dissect the demand logic for 2026 across three core sectors—New Energy Vehicles (NEVs), Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles, and Wind Power—explaining the current supply-demand dilemma facing the NdFeB magnet and broader Pr-Nd markets.

Strait of Hormuz disruptions and Iran tensions are driving up aluminum prices and premiums. Aluminium Bahrain and Qatalum have cut output, while feedstock is tight. Rerouting via Port of Sohar or Saudi ports raises costs and delays. Buyers are turning to China, India, Russia, Canada, and scrap to offset risk. Prolonged disruption could reduce Middle East market share and reprice it as higher-risk supply.