Futures: Overnight, LME lead opened at $1,965/mt, fluctuating downward during the Asian session; it dipped to $1,948.5/mt upon entering the European session, but then rose due to a weakening US dollar index, touching a high of $1,976.5/mt before finally settling at $1,974.5/mt. Overnight, the most-traded SHFE lead 2603 contract opened at 16,665 yuan/mt, briefly touched a low of 16,560 yuan/mt early in the session, then rebounded as bears reduced positions, reaching a high of 16,680 yuan/mt before finally settling at 16,665 yuan/mt, up 0.48%, forming a doji star. On the macro front: As markets awaited a series of US economic data, a weaker US dollar made dollar-denominated commodities more attractive to overseas buyers; spot gold extended gains. The White House's Hassett predicted worsening employment: AI boosts productivity, reduces labor demand. Alphabet planned to raise about $15 billion by issuing US dollar bonds. China's Ministry of Commerce held a symposium with automakers: Multiple measures to promote the expansion and quality improvement of auto consumption. The Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Beijing Stock Exchanges announced a package of measures to optimize refinancing. Seven departments including the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security provided administrative guidance on employment to leading platform companies and courier firms. Three departments including the Ministry of Finance issued an announcement on tax incentives for re-exported cross-border e-commerce goods. : SHFE lead stopped falling and stabilized, but as the Chinese New Year holiday approached, logistics vehicles halted in some regions, leading to reduced shipments and quotations from suppliers. Only some cargoes self-picked up from primary lead smelters were quoted at premiums of 0-50 yuan/mt against the SMM #1 lead average price ex-works. In the secondary lead sector, more smelters were on holiday and reluctant to sell at low prices, with most enterprises suspending quotations; a few secondary refined lead offers were at discounts of 25 yuan/mt to premiums of 50 yuan/mt against the SMM #1 lead average price ex-works. Downstream enterprises generally entered the year-end wrap-up phase, with minimal inquiries, resulting in thin trading in the spot market. Inventory: On February 9, LME lead inventory decreased by 100 mt to 232,750 mt. As of February 9, SMM lead ingot social inventory across five regions rose to a five-month high. Today's lead price forecast: With previously in-transit lead ingots by rail concentratedly arriving at warehouses, social inventory of lead ingots increased significantly, mainly reflected in Jiangsu and Zhejiang region warehouses. Last week, lead prices fell, prompting lead-acid battery enterprises to conduct relatively concentrated stockpiling of lead ingots, leading to a noticeable decline in lead smelters' in-factory inventory. This week being the last before the Chinese New Year, the final batch of lead-acid battery enterprises will enter the holiday state, further weakening lead consumption. Meanwhile, with the start of the Spring Festival travel season, migrant workers have returned to their hometowns, and the number of vehicles in operation has gradually decreased. Currently, some regions no longer support road transportation. It is expected that the growth momentum of social inventory for lead ingots will slow down, and the inventory buildup of lead ingots is anticipated to be more reflected in the smelters' plant inventories. Overall, lead prices are in the doldrums ahead of the holiday. Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, other data are processed by SMM based on public information, market communication, and SMM's internal database model, for reference only and do not constitute decision-making advice.

US Fed Vice Chairman Jefferson expressed "cautious optimism" regarding the US economic outlook, suggesting that, driven by robust productivity growth, inflation is expected to pull back to the central bank's 2% target level. Additionally, Jefferson noted that the current policy stance is sufficient to effectively address economic developments.

【SMM Steel】IDOM won the FEED phase for HADEED's Flat Products Expansion Project in Jubail. The project aims to boost capacity and logistics. It shows HADEED's commitment to meeting growing demand for premium flat steel. IDOM will use advanced tech to improve efficiency and supply chain reliability. The expansion will enhance productivity and flexibility using Jubail's infrastructure.

Data from the National Energy Administration shows that in 2025, China's total electricity consumption historically exceeded 10 trillion kWh, reaching 10.4 trillion kWh, up 5% YoY. This figure set a record for electricity consumption by a single country globally, equivalent to more than twice the annual electricity consumption of the US and exceeding the combined annual electricity consumption of the EU, Russia, India, and Japan.

Speira has commissioned “Bernhard,” the first of four modernised aluminium-recycling furnaces, as part of an €11 million programme at its Grevenbroich plant. The tiltable rotary unit, chosen and named by employees in memory of a late colleague, holds up to 25 tonnes and is designed to process difficult “low-grade” scrap and dross. Two additional furnaces will be installed at Töging and a second at Grevenbroich, entering service in October 2025, May 2026 and October 2026 respectively. The new equipment—complete with automatic chargers, advanced burners, suction hoods and thermal afterburners—raises productivity while cutting CO₂ emissions and is future-ready for hydrogen fuel. Easier maintenance, enclosed metal tapping and reduced vehicle traffic enhance workplace safety. CEO Einar Glomnes highlighted the move as part of Speira’s commitment to a circular economy, while local officials welcomed the investment for safeguarding jobs in the Rhineland region.

On June 10, FAW Toyota officially put its all-new mid-size electric SUV, the bZ5, onto the market, unveiling four initial variants: the 550 JOY, the 550 PRO, the 550 PRO Smart Drive, and the 630 PRO, ...