SMM launches the "SMM China Titanium Dioxide Price Index" to provide a transparent pricing reference and reflect market trends, effective from March 20, 2026.
PriceMar 19, 2026 11:59SMM will delist 14 price points for various steel types from specific mills effective April 1, 2026, due to prolonged stockouts. Clients should adjust their price usage to avoid business disruptions.
PriceMar 17, 2026 14:14LFP Prices
PriceMar 16, 2026 15:18Discontinuation of Iron Ore Data Points in the SMM Database
PriceMar 13, 2026 16:19As the Chinese New Year holiday is around the corner, Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) hereby informs you of our metal price update arrangement during the holiday period to ensure you can make proper arra
PriceFeb 14, 2026 10:22Dear users, As the core raw material for the steel industry, the price fluctuations of iron ore directly determine the cost and profit stability of the steel industry chain. In recent years, the endowment of global iron ore resources has shown significant changes, with the proportion of high-grade ore production continuously declining. To actively respond to market changes, enhance the guiding significance of the index for the Spot Market, and improve market information transparency, SMM has decided to launch the "MMI 61% Iron Ore Port Stock Index (IOPI)" and the "MMI 61% Iron Ore Seaborne Index (IOSI)" from 5th January 2026. The specific price point details are as follows: Index Price Point: MMI 61% Iron Ore Port Stock Index (IOPI) Quality specifications: Fe content base 61%, aluminum base 2.5%, silica base 4.5%, phosphorus base 0.1%, sulfur base 0.02%, Moisture base 8% Definition: FOT Qingdao Port, VAT included. Normalized for any Chinese Port. Unit: RMB/wet tonnes Quantity: min 5,000 tonnes Timing: within 1 week Payment Terms: Payment at sight Publication: Working Day, 6 PM Beijing Time Index Price Point: MMI 61% Iron Ore Seaborne Index (IOSI) Quality specifications: Fe content base 61%, aluminum base 2.5%, silica base 4.5%, phosphorus base 0.1%, sulfur base 0.02%, Moisture base 8% Definition: CFR Qingdao Port. Normalized for any Chinese Port. Unit: USD/dry tonnes Quantity: min 50,000 tonnes Timing: within 2 months Payment Terms: L/C or payment at sight Publication: Working Day, 6 PM Beijing Time SMM Iron Ore Research January 5, 2026
PriceJan 5, 2026 14:18SMM Clarification Statement SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "SMM" or "the Company"), as a professional spot market price reporting agency and information provider, has recently noticed the circulation of false information regarding the fairness of SMM's price assessment. To avoid market misunderstandings, maintain a healthy and transparent market environment, and protect the Company's legitimate rights and interests, SMM hereby makes the following solemn clarification and statement: I. The Difference Between Spot Prices and Futures Prices is a Normal Reflection of Market Mechanisms According to basic economic principles, spot prices reflect the immediate supply-demand relationship and deliverable transaction conditions of the underlying asset, while futures prices reflect market expectations for future supply and demand, including factors such as capital cost and carrying costs. Both follow the principle of "convergence at maturity," meaning that futures prices gradually converge towards spot prices as the contract expiration date approaches. Therefore, during the life of the contract, the difference between spot prices and futures prices, especially with far-month contracts, is a normal phenomenon under the market pricing mechanism. II. Historical Data Proves the Rationality of the Price Spread Structure To objectively present the facts, SMM has made a price spread analysis chart based on publicly available market data: The chart clearly shows that from September 2023 to 2025, the monthly price spread between the SMM battery-grade lithium carbonate average price and the GFEX lithium carbonate futures contract prices fluctuated between positive and negative territory, always remaining within a reasonable range, and exhibited a significant convergence trend as the contract expiration date approached. This fully aligns with the market rule of futures and spot price convergence. Comparing a certain periods' futures prices (especially those of far-month most-traded contracts) with spot assessment prices and concluding that there is a "consistent significant deviation" is fundamentally flawed in methodology and can easily mislead market judgment. Any behavior that selectively highlights short-term trends in the price spread without considering the broader context is partial and irresponsible, failing to reflect the overall market situation. III. Recent Market Risk Control Measures Recently, to maintain the stable operation of the lithium carbonate futures market and prevent potential risks, the Guangzhou Futures Exchange, in accordance with its risk management rules, issued multiple notifications consecutively between November and December 2025, implementing a series of risk control measures for relevant contracts, including adjustments to transaction fee standards and trading limits. These measures represent the exchange's commitment to fulfill its self-regulatory duties in accordance with the law during specific market periods, aiming to promote the steady development of the market. IV. The Emergence, Nature, and Harm of False Information It is noteworthy that during this sensitive period, when the aforementioned risk control measures were being intensively implemented, a significant amount of false information began circulating on the Internet. While such information varies in content, it shares an identical core narrative: False claims have been made that SMM’s prices "consistently and significantly deviate from fair value and futures prices" and that "there are illegal benefit-related connections with certain institutions". These claims are entirely groundless. The timing and manner of their dissemination indicate that their purpose is not professional discussion but rather an attempt to exert improper pressure on SMM by confusing the price logic of spot and futures markets, interfere with the neutrality of spot price assessments, and consequently potentially mislead market expectations and disrupt the normal relationship between futures and spot prices. SMM hereby solemnly declares that SMM is always committed to price discovery in the spot market, does not participate in any futures market trading operations, and resolutely maintains market order. V. The Compliance, Neutrality, and Supervision Mechanisms of SMM's Price Assessment As a professional market price assessment agency, SMM always adheres to the principles of neutrality, objectivity, and fairness. SMM's price assessment methodology strictly follows the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) "Principles for Financial Benchmarks" and is subject to audits by independent third-party audit firms. In terms of internal governance, SMM has established a comprehensive firewall system to ensure that personnel and management involved in the price assessment process do not hold any related futures or spot positions, thereby eliminating conflicts of interest at an institutional level. SMM also has no history of any penalties from securities regulatory authorities for violations. We consistently maintain an open attitude towards market supervision based on facts. VI. Appeal to the Public SMM strongly condemns the recent malicious fabrication and dissemination of false information in the market, which damages SMM's commercial reputation and attempts to disrupt the order of the futures and spot markets, and has initiated legal proceedings to protect its rights. Currently, SMM is comprehensively and continuously collecting and preserving evidence related to the infringements. For suspected infringing acts, the Company will take all legal measures, including but not limited to reporting to relevant regulatory authorities and filing complaints with relevant online platforms, to resolutely pursue the legal liability of the infringing parties. SMM reserves the right to pursue all legal consequences against the relevant responsible parties. We once again call on all market participants to enhance their legal awareness and professional discernment capabilities, obtain information from authoritative channels, analyze the market rationally, resolutely resist and refuse to spread any unverified and unfounded rumors, and jointly maintain a fair, orderly, and healthy development environment for the industry chain. SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd. Dec 26, 2025
Dec 26, 2025 17:30SMM launches graded price points for hafnium oxide and crystal hafnium to enhance pricing reference for the hafnium industry.
PriceMar 9, 2026 14:03Dear Users, Since the beginning of this year, imported titanium concentrate has impacted the domestic market, and its price fluctuations have garnered close attention from downstream enterprises such as titanium dioxide and sponge titanium producers. To promote international trade of titanium products, assist global upstream and downstream enterprises in grasping market dynamics, obtaining spot price information, reducing cross-border transaction risks and costs, and deepening industry chain research, SMM has decided to launch five new price points for titanium concentrate and rutile for market reference, effective from December 29th . The specific price point information is as follows: Price Point: Titanium Concentrate (Mozambique TiO₂ ≥46%) Price Definition: VAT included, spot transaction price at port Unit of Account: RMB/tonne Country of Origin: Mozambique Price Generation Regions: Major Chinese ports including Caofeidian Port, Qinzhou Port, Zhanjiang Port, Rizhao Port, etc. Product Standard: Conforms to YB/T 4031-2015 standard, with specifications: TiO₂ (dry basis): ≥ 46.00%, S: ≤ 0.25%, P: ≤ 0.06%, Fe₂O₃: ≤ 8.0%, H₂O: ≤ 1.0% Minimum Quantity Requirement: ≥30 tonnes Release Time: Before 11:30 AM Beijing Time on business days Price Point: Titanium Concentrate (Nigeria TiO₂ ≥50%) Price Definition: VAT included, spot transaction price at port Unit of Account: RMB/tonne Country of Origin: Nigeria Price Generation Regions: Major Chinese ports including Qinzhou Port, Rizhao Port, etc. Product Standard: Conforms to YB/T 4031-2015 standard, with specifications: TiO₂ (dry basis): ≥ 50.00%, S: ≤ 0.20%, P: ≤ 0.040%, Fe₂O₃: ≤ 7.0%, H₂O: ≤ 1.0% Minimum Quantity Requirement: ≥30 tonnes Release Time: Before 11:30 AM Beijing Time on business days Price Point: Titanium Concentrate (Australia TiO₂ ≥50%) Price Definition: VAT included, spot transaction price at port Unit of Account: RMB/tonne Country of Origin: Australia Price Generation Regions: Major Chinese ports including Caofeidian Port, etc. Product Standard: Conforms to YB/T 4031-2015 standard, with specifications: TiO₂ (dry basis): ≥ 50.00%, S: ≤ 0.20%, P: ≤ 0.040%, Fe₂O₃: ≤ 7.0%, H₂O: ≤ 1.0% Minimum Quantity Requirement: ≥30 tonnes Release Time: Before 11:30 AM Beijing Time on business days Price Point: Rutile (Sierra Leone TiO₂ ≥95%) Price Definition: VAT included, spot transaction price at port Unit of Account: RMB/tonne Country of Origin: Sierra Leone Price Generation Regions: Major Chinese ports including Qinzhou Port, etc. Product Standard: Conforms to common industry standards for rutile concentrate, with specifications: TiO₂ (dry basis): ≥ 95.00%, S: ≤ 0.02%, P: ≤ 0.020%, Fe₂O₃: ≤ 0.50%, H₂O: ≤ 0.50% Minimum Quantity Requirement: ≥30 tonnes Release Time: Before 11:30 AM Beijing Time on business days Price Point: Rutile (Sierra Leone TiO₂ ≥90%) Price Definition: VAT included, spot transaction price at port Unit of Account: RMB/tonne Country of Origin: Sierra Leone Price Generation Regions: Major Chinese ports including Qinzhou Port, etc. Product Standard: Conforms to common industry standards for rutile concentrate, with specifications: TiO₂ (dry basis): ≥ 90.00%, S: ≤ 0.05%, P: ≤ 0.040%, Fe₂O₃: ≤ 1.20%, H₂O: ≤ 0.80% Minimum Quantity Requirement: ≥30 tonnes Release Time: Before 11:30 AM Beijing Time on business days SMM Titanium Industry Research Team December 23, 2025
PriceDec 23, 2025 13:23Discontinuation and Addition of Iron Ore Data Points in the SMM Database
PriceMar 6, 2026 19:02