[SMM Stainless Steel Daily Review] Nonferrous Metals Strengthening Drives SS Futures to Stop Falling and Rebound, Spot Stainless Steel Inquiry Weak with Limited Upward Momentum According to SMM on August 7, SS futures generally stopped falling and rebounded. The nonferrous metals sector strengthened collectively today, driving SS prices to rise in tandem. As of the midday close, the most-traded SS contract settled at 14,640 yuan/mt. In the spot market, although SS futures gave a clear signal to stop falling and rebound, purchase demand from downstream was largely released in the mid-week when prices were high. Intraday market purchase inquiries remained weak, and the upward momentum of spot offers from traders was very limited. The most-traded SS futures contract. At 10:15 a.m., SS2609 settled at 14,570 yuan/mt, up 105 yuan/mt from the previous trading day. Spot premiums for 304/2B in the Wuxi region were in the 400-750 yuan/mt range. In the spot market, the average price of cold-rolled 201/2B coil in Wuxi held steady; for cold-rolled mill edge 304/2B coil, the average price in Wuxi fell by 75 yuan/mt, and in Foshan by 50 yuan/mt; cold-rolled 316L/2B coil prices in the Wuxi region were flat; hot-rolled 316L/NO.1 coil offers in Wuxi remained unchanged; cold-rolled 430/2B coil prices in both Wuxi and Foshan were flat. This week, stainless steel futures were disturbed by both industry news and capital flows, presenting wild swings overall, with a fierce tug-of-war between longs and shorts. During the week, news about Indonesia's RKAB nickel ore supplementary quota repeatedly disturbed market expectations, and combined with shifts in capital flows on futures, SS futures first rose then fell, once exploring upward during mid-week...
Aug 7, 2026 14:22As of now, the FOB price of Indonesian MHP nickel is $15,273/mt Ni, and the FOB price of Indonesian MHP cobalt is $47,840/mt Co. The MHP payables (against the SMM battery-grade nickel sulphate index) is 82.5-83.5, and the MHP cobalt payable indicator (against SMM refined cobalt (Rotterdam warehouse)) is 90. The FOB price of Indonesian high-grade nickel matte is $15,700/mt Ni.
Aug 7, 2026 11:59On August 7, SMM battery-grade nickel sulphate average price remained stable.
Aug 7, 2026 11:41[SMM Stainless Steel Daily Review] Indonesian Nickel Ore Quota News Hits Futures, Stainless Steel Futures and Spot Prices Pull Back in Tandem According to an SMM report on Aug 6, SS futures trended downward and hit bottom. The SHFE nickel and SS futures dropped together, impacted by news of additional nickel ore quotas under Indonesia's RKAB. As of the midday close, the most-traded SS futures contract settled at 14,380 yuan/mt. In the spot market, the SS futures' successive declines intensified the wait-and-see sentiment in the industry. Although traders generally lowered their quotes in line with futures, inquiries remained sluggish, and transactions weakened further. SS most-traded futures contract. At 10:15 a.m., SS2609 was reported at 14,465 yuan/mt, down 15 yuan/mt from the previous trading day. Spot premiums for 304/2B material in the Wuxi area were in the 405-855 yuan/mt range. In the spot market, the average price of cold-rolled 201/2B coil in Wuxi held stable. For cold-rolled unedged 304/2B coil, the average price in Wuxi fell 75 yuan/mt, while that in Foshan fell 50 yuan/mt. Cold-rolled 316L/2B coil prices in Wuxi were flat. Quotes for hot-rolled 316L/NO.1 coil in Wuxi were unchanged. Cold-rolled 430/2B coil prices in both Wuxi and Foshan were steady. This week, macro sentiment shifted bearish, dominating metal market trends, and stainless steel futures consolidated on a subdued note overall. The US Fed kept interest rates unchanged as expected at its meeting this week, but its overall stance was hawkish. Commodity valuations generally came under pressure, and the nonferrous metals sector weakened collectively. Dragged by the spillover effect of macro headwinds, SS futures followed suit and consolidated on a subdued note, with the center of the futures moving lower. The overall market...
Aug 6, 2026 14:21[SMM Nickel Flash] August 6 news: High-grade NPI prices were dragged down by futures, and the transaction prices previously achievable also faced increased difficulty in closing today. Downstream purchasers still maintained a low-price purchasing approach, with some enterprises suspending procurement. Meanwhile, the market holds expectations for future growth in nickel ore supply. Supplier quotations remained divergent, lacking overall upward momentum, and market sentiment turned cautious.
Aug 6, 2026 14:05As of now, the FOB price of Indonesian MHP nickel stands at $15,337/mt Ni, and the FOB price of Indonesian MHP cobalt stands at $49,106/mt Co. The MHP payables (against the SMM battery-grade nickel sulphate index) stand at 83-84, and the MHP cobalt payables (against SMM refined cobalt (Rotterdam warehouse)) stand at 91. The FOB price of Indonesian high-grade nickel matte stands at $15,765/mt Ni.
Aug 6, 2026 13:17SMM is officially launching five granular price assessments for Philippine nickel ore ocean freight to major smelting hubs in China and Indonesia, replacing old Philippines ocean freight price points
PriceMay 13, 2026 14:58SMM will increase the update frequency for its Indonesian Domestic Nickel Ore Price (1.2%-1.6% Ni) from weekly to daily, effective February 9, 2026, due to market volatility.
PriceFeb 3, 2026 13:48In the past two years, the proportion of nickel ore exported from the Philippines to Indonesia has surged from less than 3% in 2023 to approximately 20% in 2024. This year, Indonesia’s domestic nickel ore supply is tightening under the dual pressures of progressively stricter government controls over nickel resources and prolonged rainy seasons. Consequently, exports of nickel ore from the Philippines to Indonesia are expected to increase further. Against this backdrop, the valuation and pricing mechanisms for Philippine nickel ore in the Indonesian market are drawing close attention from participants across the supply chain. To proactively address market shifts, meet the pressing need for price discovery of Philippine nickel ore on a CIF Indonesia basis, and enhance market transparency, SMM has decided: Commencing August 15, 2025, SMM will officially launch two new price: SMM the Philippines 1.3% Laterite Nickel Ore, CIF Indonesia, USD/wmt SMM the Philippines 1.4% Laterite Nickel Ore, CIF Indonesia, USD/wmt Details of this price point are as follows: Description: SMM the Philippines 1.3% Laterite Nickel Ore, CIF Indonesia, USD/wmt Quality: Nickel ore 1.3% Ni, 15-25% Fe, water content 33-35% Quantity: Minimum 50000 tonnes Definition: CIF Indoneisa main ports Brand Listing: CNC、NAC,etc Timing: 1-2 Months Unit: USD/wmt Payment Terms: L/C/TT at sight in USD , other payment terms normalized Pulication: Daily, by 12am Beijing Time Description: SMM the Philippines 1.4% Laterite Nickel Ore, CIF Indonesia, USD/wmt Quality: Nickel ore 1.4% Ni, 15-25% Fe, water content 33-35% Quantity: Minimum 50000 tonnes Definition: CIF Indoneisa main ports Brand Listing: CNC、NAC,etc Timing: 1-2 Months Unit: USD/wmt Payment Terms: L/C/TT at sight in USD , other payment terms normalized Pulication: Daily, by 12am Beijing Time SMM Nickel Industry Research Department August 8, 2025
PriceAug 8, 2025 16:19