【SMM Steel】Czech group Sev.en Global Investments proposed the UK find a single buyer for British Steel and Speciality Steel UK, potentially creating Britain's largest steel producer. The CEO said merging the two assets would require lower budget expenditures and ensure a more stable model. Sev.en plans to invest ~£100m in its UK assets and is ready to invest "hundreds of millions of pounds" in further development under the 7 Steel brand. British Steel came under govt control in April 2025 due to closure risk from Jingye. SSUK was declared insolvent following Liberty Steel's difficulties. If successful, Sev.en could overtake Tata Steel as the UK's largest steel producer.

【SMM Steel】The EU will take necessary measures to protect its interests if Trump imposes new 25% tariffs on EU cars, an EC spokesperson said. Trump announced he will raise tariffs on EU cars/trucks to 25% next week, claiming the bloc is not adhering to a previous trade agreement signed in summer 2025 that capped US tariffs on EU cars/parts at 15%. The EU says it is fulfilling its obligations. The EU has previously considered trade measures, including €93bn in retaliatory tariffs. German companies cut US investments by ~45% in the first year of Trump's second term due to trade uncertainty.

【SMM Steel】Thyssenkrupp has suspended negotiations with India's Jindal Steel International on the potential sale of its steel division. No reason was given, but Thyssenkrupp's CEO said the steel business outlook is "better than it has been in a long time," citing improved conditions across Europe. Talks began in September but disagreements over pensions, investment, and energy costs may have caused the breakdown. Thyssenkrupp reported a net loss of €334m in Q1 FY2025/2026, including €401m in restructuring costs for steel. US fund Flacks Group had previously prepared to bid for the steel division if the sale failed.

DISA has launched the DISAMATIC C5 vertical green-sand moulding line, designed for high efficiency and low operating cost. The system can produce 400 uncored or 340 cored moulds per hour, delivering up to 20% higher output than comparable machines while reducing maintenance needs and total cost of ownership. The company said the C5 improves casting quality, cutting grinding and rework by about 50%, and offers fast installation with compatibility for existing pattern plates. Overall, the new line enhances productivity and supports faster return on investment for foundries.

Sprott Asset Management launched the Sprott Physical Copper Trust on NYSE Arca (ticker: SCOP) on May 4, 2026, enabling investors to gain direct exposure to physical copper with enhanced liquidity and monthly redemption features.

The European Commission has decided to restrict EU funding—including through the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Investment Fund (EIF)—for solar, wind, and battery energy storage projects utilizing inverters from high-risk countries, namely China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, citing cybersecurity risks. The policy, communicated to financial institutions, took effect on May 1, 2026. While initial media reports highlighted restrictions on photovoltaic solar projects, it is now confirmed that battery energy storage systems (BESS) are also included in the directive. The industry is awaiting the official publication of the new guidelines, as the Commission does not currently plan to issue a public announcement or press release on the matter.

Mercuria Energy Group has entered into a series of strategic offtake agreements with Heeney Capital, targeting bulk commodities and gold projects in Venezuela. This initiative aims to revitalize Venezuela's energy and mining sectors and was formalized at Miraflores Palace in Caracas with Mercuria's managing director, James Gilbert, in attendance. The agreements, which emerged from a high-level delegation visit involving US officials, are expected to unlock approximately $2.2 billion in annual mineral export value. This collaboration reflects broader international efforts to support Venezuela's economic recovery and secure supply chains for critical materials while aligning with US strategies to promote responsible investment in the region's extractive industries.

[SMM Steel] Vietnam exported 2.94 mln tons of steel in Q1 2026, up nearly 7% YoY, with March shipments reaching 1.03 mln tons (+23% MoM). The United States remained the largest market, with exports rising 32% YoY, while shipments to Russia surged over 830%, albeit from a low base. Strong growth was also seen in India and Southeast Asia. However, exports continue to face mounting pressure from trade protection measures, including US Section 232 tariffs and EU CBAM and quota restrictions, pushing Vietnamese producers to rely more on domestic demand. Supported by infrastructure investment and real estate recovery, Vietnam’s steel consumption is expected to grow 5–8% in 2026, positioning the domestic market as the key growth driver.

German renewable energy developer PNE AG has successfully completed the sale of its 25.2 MW Bokel wind farm, located in Lower Saxony, to an investment fund managed by Union Investment. The facility, which consists of seven wind turbines and was commissioned in April 2025, produces enough green electricity to power approximately 17,800 three-person households annually. While the financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed, PNE’s subsidiary, energy consult, will retain technical and commercial management of the site until at least late 2029, ensuring operational continuity under the new ownership.

According to POSCO’s Q1 2026 earnings call, the company has introduced its third interim shareholder return policy and shifted from a free-cash-flow-based approach to a more earnings-linked framework. The new policy targets a shareholder return ratio of 35%-40% of adjusted net profit attributable to controlling interests, to be delivered through a mix of cash dividends and share buybacks or cancellations. POSCO said the change is intended to improve payout visibility while balancing growth investment and shareholder returns.