The global automotive industry is accelerating its low-carbon and intelligent transformation, with China's automotive industry advancing from scale advantages to dual leadership in technology and supply chain. In 2025, the penetration rate of new energy vehicles in China exceeded 50%, driving the upgrade of automotive materials such as aluminum, steel, and magnesium, with demand for lightweight new materials surging. Coupled with the implementation of the EU carbon border tax, low-carbon transformation of the industry chain is imminent. Coinciding with the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan and the deepening phase of the dual carbon goals, the industry urgently needs a professional platform to address material technology challenges. Against this backdrop,will be held on September 10-11, 2026 in Shanghai . SMM together with exclusive drinking water title sponsorship partner - Anhui Xiongchuang Aluminum Alloy New Material Co., Ltd. sincerely invites industry peers to attend the conference, promoting the in-depth evolution of the automotive supply chain toward green, lightweight, intelligent, and global development. Clickto attend. We look forward to meeting you at the conference. Anhui Xiongchuang Aluminum Alloy New Material Co., Ltd. was established in October 2018 with a registered capital of 100 million yuan. Located at No. 12 Yanghuai Road, Economic Development Zone, Suixi County, Huaibei City, Anhui province, it is a private new-type aluminum alloy material enterprise integrating R&D, production, and sales. The company occupies a total land area of 63,603 m², approximately 95.5 mu. The planned total construction area is 32,000 m², with supporting public auxiliary engineering. The total project investment is approximately 150 million yuan, of which construction investment is 95 million yuan. The overall designed capacity is 150,000 mt per year. The main products include various grades of high-quality cast aluminum alloy ingots, aluminum alloy liquid, and secondary aluminum alloy bars, primarily used in automotive, new energy, and other fields . The main production equipment adopts China's advanced high-efficiency and energy-saving automatic melting furnaces, achieving high efficiency, energy conservation, reduced slag formation, and improved aluminum liquid purity. The production equipment, technical level, and economic indicators have reached the advanced level of similar domestic production processes. The company is dedicated to the research and manufacturing of aluminum as a substitute for steel and aluminum as an substitute for copper, promoting the lightweight development of automotive, rail transit, and aerospace components, achieving energy conservation and emission reduction, and protecting the global environment. For every mt of secondary aluminum we recycle, we can reduce ore mining by 11 mt, reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 0.8 mt, reduce sulfur dioxide emissions by 0.6 mt, reduce solid scrap by 20 mt, save 22 m³ of water, and save 14,000 kWh of electricity. Soaring forward with bold strides, breaking through with innovation! Xiongchuang Aluminum Alloy builds its backbone with integrity and forges brilliance with service! In the future, we will fully leverage our industrial advantages, integrate resources from all parties, target market development trends, and create greater value for our clients. Contact Information Mr. Liu 181 0561 3888 Mr. Yang 151 3040 8133 SMM Conference Contact Lv Junlei 176 1601 9596 lvjunlei@smm.cn

Driven by the dual forces of global energy structure transformation and the "dual carbon" goals, battery technology is evolving from a traditional electricity storage medium into a core engine reshaping transportation, consumer electronics, and even the energy internet. From fundamental breakthroughs in materials science to the industrialisation of cutting-edge technologies such as solid-state and sodium-ion batteries, the battery industry is in a period of explosive technological advancement with intense competition. This conference brings together the world's top scholars, industry chain leaders, and capital forces, aiming to break down barriers between "industry, academia, research, and application." We will delve into key topics including high energy density, ultimate safety, ultra-fast charging technology, and recycling, jointly charting a new blueprint for green, efficient, and sustainable energy. Shenzhen Huanaxincai Co., Ltd. will attend this grand event to discuss industry development trends with industry peers and jointly drive battery technology to new heights. form to sign up immediately, and together witness and participate in this extraordinary and far-reaching industry event, co-creating a brilliant new chapter! Shenzhen Huanaxincai Co., Ltd. was founded in November 2021 by a doctoral team of high-level overseas talents. It is a national high-tech enterprise specialising in the R&D, industrialisation, and end-use applications of sodium-ion battery cathode materials. The company has been recognised as a "Shenzhen Specialised, Refined, Distinctive, and Innovative Enterprise" and a "Shenzhen 20+8 Industrial Cluster Enterprise." It has applied for or been granted nearly 80 patents, obtained ISO9001, ISO14001, and other system certifications, and served as the lead or major co-drafter of four sodium-ion battery standards. The company has received multiple rounds of financing from publicly listed firms including Meilian New Material and Zijian Electronics, and has won numerous industry awards. Core Business The company specialises in the R&D, production, and sales of sodium-ion battery cathode materials. With years of deep industry expertise and over 100 core patents accumulated, it possesses strong technological capabilities. Currently, the enterprise has fully mastered both mainstream sodium-ion battery cathode material technology routes — layered oxide and polyanion. Its products maintain a leading position in overall market performance. The layered oxide cathode materials feature high energy density, high working voltage, and excellent C-rate performance, making them widely suitable for application fields such as power batteries. The polyanion NFPP cathode materials are characterised by high safety, ultra-long cycle life, and outstanding wide-temperature adaptability, with excellent cycling performance, making them particularly suitable for scenarios with stringent safety and service life requirements such as utility-scale energy storage, backup power supplies, and starter batteries. The polyanion NFS cathode materials feature high voltage and high capacity performance, and are widely applied in scenarios such as light vehicle power and others. Leveraging a mature technology system and rigorous quality control management, the company's products have achieved large-scale mass production and stable supply, successfully entering various application segments and establishing in-depth partnerships with multiple Fortune Global 500 enterprises and leading industry clients. We remain committed to technological innovation as our core driving force, continuously iterating product performance, and dedicated to providing global clients with high-grade, highly reliable sodium-ion battery cathode materials to facilitate the high-quality development of the new energy industry. Long press 2026 SMM Battery Technology Conference

[SMM Daily Commentary: Non-farm Payrolls Exceed Expectations, Weighing on Silver Prices; Spot Quotes Gradually Approach Parity] SMM, June 8 – Non-farm payrolls data exceeded expectations strongly, heating up rate hike expectations, and silver prices plunged more than 8% in a single day. Spot market quotes gradually moved toward parity, with downstream wait-and-see sentiment thick and trading sluggish.

June 5, 2026 Although the war in Iran, a simmering energy crisis, and rising inflation should actually provide the perfect environment for safe-haven assets, gold is currently treading water below the $4,500 per troy ounce mark. For commodity investors, this behavior seems like a paradox. But according to a recent analysis by Commerzbank, there is a clear reason for this: a shift in U.S. interest rate expectations. For forward-thinking investors, this means: The next upward surge in gold prices hasn’t been canceled—it’s merely being postponed. The interest rate shock: Markets are pricing in surprise hikes The explanation for the current price slowdown lies in the monetary policy of the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed). Even before the outbreak of the conflict in the Middle East, the market had anticipated interest rate cuts of around 50 basis points this year. However, the war-driven rise in oil prices has shattered these expectations. A look at Fed funds futures reveals the turnaround: The market now signals a U.S. benchmark interest rate of about 3.8 percent by year-end. Since the effective Fed rate currently stands at just over 3.6 percent, market participants are effectively pricing in an imminent rate hike. The CME FedWatch Tool puts the probability of a rate hike in December at over 50 percent. By spring 2027 at the latest, the market has fully priced in a 25-basis-point increase. These higher opportunity costs are weighing heavily on the gold price in the short term. The Commerzbank Scenario: 8 Percent Upside Potential by Year-End Despite these headwinds, Commerzbank sees attractive potential but is adjusting its timing. While the year-end target for gold has been lowered from $5,000 to $4,800, this still represents a solid increase of around 8 percent from current levels. The analysts’ base scenario assumes a two-month geopolitical transition phase. After that, the bank expects the Strait of Hormuz to reopen. The logical consequence: falling prices for Brent crude oil, easing inflationary pressure, and a retreat from the currently aggressive interest rate expectations. Of interest to investors: Contrary to the current market positioning, Commerzbank does not believe there will be a real key interest rate hike this year. Instead, the experts expect interest rates to remain unchanged and see the next real monetary policy move as a cut—but not until the second quarter of 2027 at the earliest. The fundamental drivers remain strong (2027 target: $5,200) Because the overarching macro picture remains intact, Commerzbank is sticking firmly to its long-term forecast of $5,200 per troy ounce by the end of 2027. The time lag does not alter the massive structural drivers: The rampant and rapidly growing U.S. national debt is forcing monetary policy that is too loose relative to inflation. Dwindling confidence in the U.S. dollar as a reserve currency continues to fuel central bank gold purchases. The strategic interest of private and institutional investors in tangible assets remains consistently high. Silver in the wake: Industrial weakness weighs on the price In parallel with gold, the bank has also adjusted its expectations for silver. The year-end target has been revised to around $80 per troy ounce. In addition to the subdued gold price, weakening physical demand is the primary factor weighing on prices here. The Silver Institute expects industrial demand for silver to shrink for the second year in a row and reach a four-year low. Nevertheless, the fundamental supply-demand balance in the silver market remains tight. Consequently, Commerzbank expects prices to rise again in the coming year and forecasts a silver price of around $90 per troy ounce by the end of 2027 (previously $95). Conclusion: According to the bank’s outlook, major price surges for both gold and silver are being pushed back in time. However, since the long-term fundamental arguments remain strong, the current consolidation phase could offer strategic investors an attractive entry opportunity before the interest rate turnaround actually takes effect. Source： https://goldinvest.de/en/gold-price-rally-merely-postponed-analysts-predict-usd4-800-by-year-end

June 4, 2026 The price of gold is taking a breather. With the slide below $4,500 per ounce, the precious metal is currently testing its 200-day moving average—a crucial technical support level. This period of weakness has been triggered by renewed concerns over interest rates. But Tom Winmill, portfolio manager of the Midas Discovery Fund , warns against being blinded by short-term volatility. In an interview with Kitco News, he emphasized: The structural drivers for gold and select mining stocks remain intact. Interest Rate Concerns vs. Fundamental Strength Growing inflation fears are fueling market expectations of further interest rate hikes by year-end. This naturally weighs on interest-free gold. Nevertheless, Winmill does not view the current pullback to the 200-day line as a break in the upward trend. His confidence is based on robust fundamentals, above all the persistently high demand from central banks. Added to this are profound changes in the global monetary landscape. The so-called “weaponization” of the U.S. dollar and efforts toward de-dollarization are increasingly eroding the greenback’s status as the undisputed reserve currency. A dollar that remains weak in the long term would provide additional tailwinds for the gold price. The Decisive Factor: Real Interest Rates Winmill sees another key argument in favor of gold in the interplay between inflation and economic growth. While central banks appear rhetorically determined to combat inflation, Winmill doubts they will tighten the reins enough to risk a deep recession. The result: Real interest rates are likely to remain low or even fall further. Historically, this environment of declining holding costs has been an ideal breeding ground for tangible assets. Gold benefits twice in this scenario—as a classic safe haven in uncertain times and due to the favorable real yield environment. Geopolitical risks and persistent inflationary pressures further support this thesis. Mining Stocks: Solid Balance Sheets Instead of Cost Panic The weak gold price and rising costs have also left their mark on mining stocks. However, Winmill often considers concerns about profitability to be exaggerated. Underground operations, in particular, are less dependent on fuel costs and have long since positioned themselves with alternative energies. According to Winmill, the industry is fundamentally healthier than ever: record free cash flow, strengthened balance sheets, and some of the strongest results in recent years. While rising royalties, higher wages, and financing costs can squeeze margins, the starting point is significantly better than in previous cycles. Furthermore, the pressure to engage in expensive acquisitions has eased, as higher gold prices have already boosted the value of existing reserves. For investors, the bottom line is this: the gold bull market is not over; it is merely taking a breather. The lowest point in the valuation cycle for mining stocks is likely behind us. Source： https://goldinvest.de/en/focus-on-gold-structural-strength-despite-headwinds-from-interest-rate-fears

[SMM PV News] It is understood that due to maintenance of cold hydrogenation equipment, a polysilicon base in Inner Mongolia is provisionally scheduled for maintenance at the end of June, with full-month maintenance in July, and is expected to return to normal in August. It is understood that this has limited impact on June production, and may affect July production by around 5 kt.