[SMM Silicone Weekly Review: As New Round of Expectations for Price Hike Released, Downstream Enterprises at Various Stages Purchased on Demand] This week, the transaction center of China's silicone DMC market remained stable, with mainstream transaction range at 14,700-15,000 yuan/mt. Regional quotations continued to diverge, with monomer enterprises in Shandong maintaining quotations at 14,700 yuan/mt, while mainstream quotations in other regions were 15,000-15,200 yuan/mt. Post-holiday market transactions were mainly driven by rigid demand, as mid- and downstream enterprises that had not purchased before the holiday entered the market to restock on demand. Currently, some upstream producers have pre-sale orders scheduled through month-end of May, and producers maintained a firm willingness to hold prices firm. Combined with the approaching industry conference in May, overall bullish sentiment in the market strengthened, which also drove downstream enterprises to enter the market for procurement.

[SMM Silicon-Based PV Morning Meeting Summary] Silicon metal: Spot silicon metal prices remained stagnant this week. SMM east China oxygen-blown #553 silicon was at 9,000-9,200 yuan/mt, and #441 silicon was at 9,200-9,400 yuan/mt. Silicon metal futures prices fluctuated around 8,700 yuan/mt. With absolute prices on the high side, downstream players mainly digested inventories, and new order transactions were sluggish. Supply and demand were largely balanced, and prices remained in a stagnant consolidation. Polysilicon: N-type recharging polysilicon was quoted at 34.1-36 yuan/kg. Polysilicon prices were relatively stable overall this week. Orders were signed both in the preceding period and this week. Industry conferences continued to be held this week, coupled with wild swings in futures, and wait-and-see sentiment in the market gradually increased.

[SMM Silicon-Based PV Morning Briefing] Silicon metal: The silicon metal market remained in a weak stalemate. Yesterday, SMM east China oxygen-blown #553 silicon was at 9,100-9,200 yuan/mt, down 50 yuan/mt from the previous day. Weaker expectations for production cuts on the supply side weighed on market sentiment. At the start of the week, futures prices trended weaker, and the center of spot transactions for some cargoes in the market edged lower. Cost support from the raw material side remained firm, and prices may fall back into stalemate. Polysilicon: N-type recharging polysilicon was quoted at 35.5-41.5 yuan/kg. Polysilicon prices have continued to decline recently, mainly affected by market sentiment and inventory exit the market among some leading enterprises. At present, low-priced polysilicon has already fallen below the cost line of some producers, and the sentiment to hold quotes firm has strengthened somewhat. Relevant meetings still need to be monitored going forward.

[SMM Silicon-Based PV Morning Meeting Summary] Silicon Metal: Spot silicon metal prices remained in a stalemate consolidation. Yesterday, SMM east China oxygen-blown #553 silicon was at 9,100-9,300 yuan/mt, and #441 silicon at 9,300-9,500 yuan/mt, unchanged from the previous day. The quote center of some silicon enterprises was slightly lower than that of trading firms engaging in both spot and futures market, while downstream users mainly transacted at lower prices, and overall market trading activity was subdued. Polysilicon: N-type recharging polysilicon was quoted at 38-47 yuan/kg. Polysilicon prices continued to decline somewhat recently, mainly affected by market sentiment and inventory clearance by some leading enterprises. At present, low-priced polysilicon has already fallen below the cost line of some manufacturers, and the sentiment to hold quotes firm has strengthened somewhat. The upstream market was also still watching wafer price movements.

[SMM Silicon-Based PV Morning Briefing] Polysilicon: The quoted price for N-type recharging polysilicon was 42-49 yuan/kg. Polysilicon prices continued to decline recently, mainly affected by wafer price cuts and market sentiment. At present, low-priced polysilicon has already fallen below the cost line of some manufacturers, and the willingness to hold quotes firm has strengthened somewhat. The upstream market was also still watching wafer price moves. Wafer: In the market, 18X wafer prices were 1.00-1.05 yuan/piece, 210RN wafer prices were 1.1-1.15 yuan/piece, and 210N wafer prices were 1.3-1.35 yuan/piece. Wafer prices remained stable. Current selling prices have already fallen below cash cost, so the likelihood of another sharp price cut was relatively small.

[SMM Silicon-Based PV Morning Meeting Summary] Silicon metal: Yesterday, SMM east China oxygen-blown #553 silicon was at 9,100-9,300 yuan/mt, and #441 silicon was at 9,300-9,600 yuan/mt, down 50 yuan/mt from the previous day. Yesterday, the futures market fluctuated rangebound near 8,600 yuan/mt and closed at 8,625 yuan/mt late in the session, down 45 yuan/mt from the previous close. Market and macro sentiment caused large fluctuations in futures prices, while downstream inquiries were subdued and transactions were mainly concluded for rigid demand orders. Silicon metal prices faced resistance on the upside and were supported by costs on the downside. Polysilicon: N-type recharging polysilicon was quoted at 44.7-53 yuan/kg. Polysilicon prices have fallen sharply recently, mainly affected by wafer price cuts and market sentiment. At present, some manufacturers continued to lower polysilicon prices, and some small-volume orders were concluded at relatively low market prices. Market sentiment remained bearish.