[SMM Chrome Daily Review: Overseas Market Offers Remained Flat, Trading Sentiment Was Subdued] April 9, 2026: The ferrochrome and chrome ore market saw limited fluctuations...

[SMM Stainless Steel Daily Review] SS Futures Moved Sideways, Stainless Steel Spot Trading Was Mediocre and Struggled to Rise On April 9, SMM reported that SS futures continued to move sideways. The US and Iran temporarily ceased fire, but geopolitical conflicts had not truly subsided, and uncertainty at the macro perspective remained elevated. SS futures failed to extend the previous rally and mainly moved sideways, closing at 14,320 yuan/mt as of the midday session. In the spot market, affected by the pause in the futures rally, the stainless steel spot market still saw some inquiry activity, but actual transactions were still dominated by low-priced sources; traders attempted to slightly raise their quotes, but actual transaction gains were limited. The most-traded SS futures contract moved sideways. At 10:15 AM, the most-traded SS2605 futures contract was quoted at 14,290 yuan/mt, up 25 yuan/mt from the previous trading day. Spot premiums for 304/2B in the Wuxi area were in the range of 180-380 yuan/mt. In the spot market, the average price of cold-rolled 201/2B coils in Wuxi fell by 100 yuan/mt; for cold-rolled trimmed-edge 304/2B coils, the average price in Wuxi rose by 50 yuan/mt, while the average price in Foshan remained stable; cold-rolled 316L/2B coils in the Wuxi area fell by 200 yuan/mt; hot-rolled 316L/NO.1 coils were quoted flat in Wuxi; cold-rolled 430/2B coils in both Wuxi and Foshan remained stable. The stainless steel market is currently in the traditional peak consumption season of "Golden March and Silver April." Downstream demand fundamentals have recovered compared to the earlier period, with end-user procurement continuing at a just-needed pace, and the overall trading volume was sufficient to hold quotes firm for basic market vitality. However, affected by macro news disturbances and futures fluctuations, downstream end-user clients still...

POSCO, South Korea is raising steel prices to offset a deteriorating cost structure. Stainless steel prices for the 300 and 400 series will increase by at least 100,000 won/ton, with an additional 100,000 won hike for the 316L grade. Carbon steel products, including hot-rolled and cold-rolled coils, will also see a 50,000 won/ton increase.

In the first quarter of 2026, TISCO Precision Strip Co. reported a 12% quarter-on-quarter increase in self-rolled material delivery. Improved process synchronization and expanded capacity effectively lowered fixed costs per unit. Notably, the processing cost per ton for self-rolled materials dropped by 1,201 RMB compared to last year's average, reflecting a significant breakthrough in cost efficiency and operational management.

[SMM Chrome Daily Review: Ferrochrome Market Temporarily Stable, Chrome Ore Prices Unchanged] April 8, 2026: The ferrochrome and chrome ore markets saw limited fluctuations...

[SMM Stainless Steel Daily Review] US-Iran Ceasefire Boosted SS Futures Higher, Stainless Steel Spot Market Showed Signs of Warming On April 8, SMM reported that SS futures showed a strengthening and upward-probing trend. Influenced by the US-Iran ceasefire agreement, non-ferrous metal futures generally opened higher in the morning session, with SS futures rising in tandem, closing at 14,325 yuan/mt by the midday session. Spot market side, driven by the news, the strengthening of SS futures lifted spot market activity, with inquiry enthusiasm increasing notably. Although downstream buyers had not yet accepted higher offers, traders' quotes had already edged up. The most-traded SS futures contract strengthened and probed higher. At 10:15 AM, SS2605 was quoted at 14,265 yuan/mt, up 65 yuan/mt from the previous trading day. Spot premiums for 304/2B in the Wuxi area ranged from 155-355 yuan/mt. In the spot market, the average price of cold-rolled 201/2B coils in Wuxi remained flat; for cold-rolled trimmed-edge 304/2B coils, the average price in Wuxi remained flat and in Foshan held steady; cold-rolled 316L/2B coils in Wuxi remained flat; hot-rolled 316L/NO.1 coils were quoted flat in Wuxi; cold-rolled 430/2B coils in both Wuxi and Foshan held steady. The stainless steel market is currently in the traditional peak consumption season of "Golden March and Silver April." Downstream demand fundamentals recovered compared with the earlier period, with end-user procurement continuing at a just-in-time pace, and overall trading volume was sufficient to hold quotes firm. However, affected by macro news disturbances and futures fluctuations, downstream end-user clients still maintained a wait-and-see sentiment, showing no willingness to stockpile, and transactions fluctuated with changes in news. Futures side, the Iranian geopolitical conflict...