Chicago Fed President Goolsbee noted that inflation is currently the most closely watched issue. The view that the US Fed currently has no option other than to cut interest rates is incorrect. With price pressures continuing to rise, inflation must be closely monitored. Additionally, there is room to reduce the US Fed's balance sheet, though whether it is necessary to do so remains uncertain at this point.

Some major mills added maintenance shutdowns, and May supply pressure is lower than previous expectations. Demand side, sheets & plates demand is expected to weaken marginally in mid-to-late May. Hot-rolled coil inventory is expected to continue destocking over the next 2–3 weeks, with limited accumulation of supply-demand imbalances before month-end in May. The energy premium outside China is unlikely to ease in the short term, hot metal production continues at elevated levels, and coil prices are expected to continue fluctuating at highs in the near term. The pullback in coking coal prices driven by expectations of easing U.S.-Iran tensions and the periodic weakening of hot-rolled coil export order-taking are expected to cause prices to come under pressure briefly, with limited downside.

On May 14-15, 2026, the SMM WCCE 2026 (4th) Wire & Cable Industry Development Conference and Industrial Exhibition will grandly open at the Suzhou International Conference Hotel, focusing on precise matchmaking across the cable industry chain. With full-chain resource integration and efficient supply-demand matching at its core, the exhibition builds a quality bridge for business negotiation and technical exchange among industry partners. Rooted in the non-ferrous metal deep processing sector and focusing on copper-based new material R&D and high-end metal product intelligent manufacturing, two strong enterprises have been deeply engaged in process innovation and quality upgrading. They will showcase high-end copper-based new materials and precision metal products at the exhibition, demonstrating hardcore strength through scientific and technological innovation, and fostering industrial cooperation through fine craftsmanship and premium products, jointly exploring new frontiers in the non-ferrous metal industry. Luohe Jinpusen Metal Technology Co., Ltd. was established on June 6, 2022, with a registered capital of 66 million yuan. It is a company integrating R&D, manufacturing, sales, and services of metal products. The company's total project investment was 260 million yuan, covering an area of 68 mu with a building area of 18,000 m². Jinpusen emphasizes technological innovation and R&D investment, possessing a professional R&D team and advanced production equipment. In accordance with internationally advanced copper rolling and processing technologies and process standards, the company has implemented the "Annual Production of 80,000 mt Copper Rod and 30,000 mt High-Purity Oxygen-Free Copper Wire Project" and the "Annual Production of 110,000 mt Non-Ferrous Metal Processing Project" . By introducing advanced copper rolling and processing technologies from in and outside China, Jinpusen has continuously improved product quality and performance. With scientific research innovation, process quality, and comprehensive services, the company has earned market recognition and client acclaim. Its products are widely used in military industry, automotive, State Grid Corporation of China, electronics, new energy, smart transportation, and many other fields. Business Scope: Using high copper content Grade 1 copper as raw material, the company is primarily engaged in the technical R&D, manufacturing, and sales of copper metal materials and related products; metal product manufacturing, processing, and sales; manufacturing, processing, and sales of bright low-oxygen copper rod, oxygen-free copper rod, copper busbar, high-precision copper wire, alloy composite copper wire, high-precision copper plate/sheet and strip, and copper pipe & tube; copper metal wire drawing processing, etc. Luohe Yuanheng New Materials Co., Ltd. was established on August 8, 2024, with a registered capital of 50 million yuan. It is a modern enterprise focused on the new materials sector. Yuanheng New Materials has introduced internationally advanced non-ferrous metal rolling and processing production lines, combined with independently developed precision processing techniques, enabling high-precision and high-efficiency rolling and processing of various non-ferrous metal raw materials. Its main products include bright low-oxygen copper rod, oxygen-free copper rod, anode plates, and copper metal wire drawing products, which are widely used in high-end manufacturing fields such as electronic information, aerospace, and new energy. In 2025, the company achieved an annual output value of 5.3 billion yuan, with annual tax payments of 450 million yuan. The output value is expected to reach 7 billion yuan in 2026. Yuanheng New Materials has always upheld the development philosophy of "Innovation, Quality, Green, and Win-Win" , committed to technological innovation and sustainable development. The company will continue to increase investment in R&D and resource recycling, deepen upstream and downstream cooperation, and strive to enhance core competitiveness, facilitating the green, intelligent, and high-end development of the new materials industry. May 14-15, 2026, Jiangsu · Suzhou International Conference Hotel . Friends from all sectors are welcome to attend the conference in person and visit the booths of Luohe Jinpusen Metal Technology Co., Ltd. and Luohe Yuanheng New Materials Co., Ltd. (E27) to experience up close the strength of high-precision copper semis intelligent manufacturing and the innovative charm of high-end new materials, explore new cooperation opportunities, and open a new chapter for the industry together. SMM WCCE 2026 (4th) Wire & Cable Industry Development Conference and Industrial Exhibition May 14-15 Jiangsu · Suzhou International Conference Hotel Participating enterprises: Qifan Cable, Kunyi Cable, Senyuan Cable, Sanwu Cable, Huili Cable, Wanma Co., Ltd., Xinhai High Conductivity, Chenfeng Yongliang, Xinhuang Group, Dongwu Futures, Guojia Conductor, Hongxing Meike, Dongfeng Cable, Qijia Industrial, Beijing Shougang Ferroalloy, Xinhongye, Yingtan Chaolong, Meichuangli, Jiuli Electric, Xinzi Nengke, Xindongang Electric, Aerospace Electric, Guochu Logistics, Jielüda, Jinhuijia, Xindian Aluminum Alloy, Gangwei Ultrasonic, Jinrui Qianyuan... Click to View ☛ ｜

Indonesian state-owned steel giant PT Krakatau Steel (Persero) Tbk (IDX: KRAS, hereinafter referred to as "Krakatau") released its 2025 consolidated financial statements on March 31, 2026. On the surface, the company recorded a net profit of 339.6 million USD (approximately 5.68 trillion IDR), its best performance since 2019. However, unpacking the core steel business reveals that the steel segment's operating loss in 2025 actually widened from 40.79 million USD in 2024 to 102.5 million USD.

According to SMM, new orders in the copper plate/sheet and strip industry have declined recently. However, as previously received orders remain sufficient, current production schedules of copper plate/sheet and strip enterprises are full, and the industry operating rate stays high.

[Geopolitical and Supply-Demand Factors Intertwined, SHFE and LME Aluminum Maintain a Range-Bound Weak Pattern in the Short Term] With the macro situation fluctuating, domestic aluminum prices underperformed LME aluminum under high inventory pressure. Attention should still be paid to whether the turning point in China's inventory can arrive smoothly.