Indonesian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia clarified that the pricing of non-subsidized fuels, such as high-octane RON 95 and 98 used by industries and upper-income groups, fluctuates according to global market trends as outlined in the 2022 ESDM regulations. Addressing rumors of a 10% price increase for non-subsidized fuels starting April 1, 2026, Bahlil emphasized that these adjustments follow market mechanisms and do not burden state finances or require official public announcements. Meanwhile, he assured that any decisions regarding subsidized fuels remain under the direct authority of President Prabowo Subianto, who continues to prioritize public purchasing power and social conditions.

This week, the tungsten market showed a divergent trend with mild corrections in domestic prices and a contrarian rise in overseas APT prices. Domestic tungsten concentrate and midstream product prices remained relatively firm, while scrap tungsten prices dropped sharply as profit-taking emerged. Supported by a tight supply-demand balance, overseas markets strengthened, further widening the price gap between domestic and international markets.

As of March 24, the operating rate of 50 electric-furnace steel mills nationwide mainly producing construction materials was 40.42%, up 1.78% WoW from the previous period; the capacity utilization rate was 41.75%, up 1.88% WoW from the previous period; and daily average production of construction materials was 93,000 mt, up 4,200 mt WoW.

This week, total rebar inventory stood at 8.3525 million mt, up 57,800 mt WoW, or 0.7% (previously +3.46%). Compared with the same period of the lunar calendar last year, it increased by 281,200 mt, or 3.48% (previously +4.58%).

The current spot rhenium metal market in China is characterized by divergence between upstream and downstream segments of the industry chain, two-way bargaining in supply and demand, and high-level price consolidation. Overall market performance is jointly influenced by multiple factors, including macro investment sentiment, the pace of stockpiling across the industry chain, overseas supply chain risks, and China’s supply and demand fundamentals. I. Upstream: Stable Price Range, Faster Producer Shipments In China’s upstream rhenium metal market, mainstream producers maintained stable raw material quotations, with the core price range controlled at around 28,000. Only a few producers raised raw material quotations to around 30,000. The overall price structure remained clearly tiered, with no wild swings. From the circulation side of the market, upstream producers recently showed stronger willingness to sell, and shipment frequency increased significantly. II. Midstream: Concentrated Scheduled Production, Low Acceptance of High-Priced Ammonium Perrhenate Midstream smelters and rhenium processing enterprises are currently in scheduled production, with pre-holiday order deliveries relatively concentrated. Most producers are scheduled to complete deliveries in March and April. From the cost side and purchasing sentiment, midstream processing enterprises generally showed low acceptance of high-priced ammonium perrhenate. The procurement side is more inclined toward rational bargaining and resists rushing to buy amid continuous price rise at high levels. This sentiment directly constrained the upside room for ammonium perrhenate prices. III. Downstream: Cooling Investment Sentiment, Steadily Recovering Industrial Demand Downstream demand showed clear structural divergence, with investment demand and industrial demand moving in opposite directions, becoming the core factor affecting short-term market sentiment. On the one hand, previously active investment demand gradually cooled, market investment sentiment weakened, and retail investors showed panic-driven exit sentiment. Low-price sell-offs began to appear in the market one after another, and some holders chose to sell below market prices in order to recover funds quickly, which to some extent impacted short-term transaction prices in the spot market. On the other hand, industrial demand showed a healthy trend of steady return and continued growth. As the core support for rigid demand in the rhenium metal market, the recovery in industrial demand provided a solid fundamental floor for the market and offset part of the bearish impact brought by investment-driven selling. IV. Outlook Considering the macro market environment and the supply and demand fundamentals of the industry chain, the core logic of the current rhenium market in China is clear: bullish and bearish factors are intertwined and in competition, jointly keeping prices in a high-level consolidation range. The specific influencing factors and market outlook are as follows: In the short term, affected by the international macro situation, investment enthusiasm in the energy sector remained elevated and diverted market funds, while overall investment sentiment in the nonferrous metals sector pulled back significantly. This sentiment gradually transmitted to the niche rare metal rhenium market, suppressing investment-side enthusiasm. In addition, around the Chinese New Year, upstream and downstream producers across the industry chain had already completed phased restocking, leaving market inventory in a relatively ample state. Raw material prices therefore lacked the momentum for a sharp increase, and short-term upside room for prices is limited. In the long term, competition in the international critical minerals sector intensified, and critical minerals consultations between the US and Chile continued to advance. The trend toward exclusive cooperation in global critical minerals supply chains became increasingly evident, directly leading to reduced stability in import channels for ammonium perrhenate from outside China, while external supply risks continued to rise; the supply of ammonium perrhenate showed a tightening trend, providing support for prices.

[Magnesium Ingot Transactions Increased Significantly, Rigid Demand Support Became More Evident, and a One-Way Market Was Unlikely in the Short Term] Today, quotations in the main production areas for 99.90% magnesium ingot were 16,600-16,700 yuan / mt, and low-priced supply in the market increased.

[SMM Titanium Weekly Review: Titanium Dioxide Showed Signs of Recovery; Diverging Strength Across the Titanium Industry Chain Market This Week] This week, the titanium industry chain in China showed pronounced structural divergence, with the tug-of-war between sellers and buyers across upstream and downstream segments intensifying and cost pass-through facing obstacles. Overall, the sector was characterized by a combination of weak recovery and localized strong support. Trading in upstream titanium ore and titanium slag was sluggish. Downstream processing enterprises tightly controlled costs, with procurement consistently maintained at a pace driven by rigid demand. Coupled with inventory at high levels across the industry, the raw material end remained under pressure, enterprises’ willingness to operate stayed weak, capacity release was constrained, and the supply-demand imbalance continued to stand out. In the midstream titanium dioxide segment, pressure from elevated costs of raw materials and energy sharply increased production-side strain. Enterprises held prices firm and showed a strong willingness to sell, and while domestic trade demand did not see a noticeable increase in volume—relying only on rigid-demand support—overseas markets still demonstrated a certain degree of resilience, leaving the overall market running relatively strong. The downstream sponge titanium and titanium products segments performed impressively: sponge titanium inventories remained low, and, together with robust downstream restocking demand, top-tier enterprises proactively adjusted prices, with enterprises showing strong confidence in holding prices firm. The titanium products market saw stable supply and demand: the supply-side operating rate was steady, while demand-side differentiation was evident. Civilian applications were mainly driven by rigid-demand restocking, while orders in high-end fields such as aerospace and military industries were steady. The market recovered steadily, and differences in the pace across segments of the industry chain also set the tone for subsequent market dynamics.

[SMM Stainless Steel Daily Review] SS Futures Held Up Well, Spot Prices Remained Stable with Just-in-Time Procurement Dominating SMM News, March 12: SS futures showed a firm sideways movement. As geopolitical tensions in Iran continued to escalate and the US restarted the tariff war, macro news still had a notable disruptive effect on futures, and SS futures had yet to show a clear direction, closing at 14,245 yuan/mt by the midday break. In the spot market, affected by the sideways movement in futures, spot quotations continued to hold steady. Although the market has entered the traditional peak consumption season and downstream demand has recovered somewhat, expectations of high supply capped sentiment, limiting market acceptance of high-priced cargoes. Downstream players mainly made just-in-time procurement, while traders actively shipped goods for destocking. The most-traded SS futures contract fluctuated higher. At 10:15 a.m., SS2605 was quoted at 14,290 yuan/mt, up 170 yuan/mt from the previous trading day. Spot premiums for 304/2B in Wuxi stood at 230-430 yuan/mt. In the spot market, cold-rolled 201/2B coils in Wuxi were generally stable; for cold-rolled trimmed-edge 304/2B coils, average prices in Wuxi and Foshan both held steady; cold-rolled 316L/2B coils in Wuxi remained stable; for hot-rolled 316L/NO.1 coils, Wuxi quotations held steady; and cold-rolled 430/2B coils in both Wuxi and Foshan were also stable. As the market entered the traditional peak consumption season of "Golden March and Silver April," the stainless steel market saw a window for demand recovery. The downstream side gradually resumed work and production after the Chinese New Year holiday, and demand showed a trend of gradual recovery. However, although transactions improved from the previous period, the market still did not show the briskness typical of the peak season, and end-user procurement was mainly...

[SMM Tin Midday Commentary: Bullish and Bearish Factors Intertwine, and the Dilemma of Fluctuating Between Gains and Losses in Shanghai Tin Continues]

Today, the most-traded hot-rolled coil contract closed at 3,269, up 0.28%. In the spot market, spot hot-rolled prices in China were mostly stable with some gains, while spot cold-rolled prices were largely stable. Overall trading sentiment was moderate, and transactions at lower prices were moderate. Short term, hot-rolled coil inventory was expected to continue building up this week, though at a slower pace. Before the inflection point of inventory destocking emerges, finished steel products will likely struggle to break out of the broader market trend independently. In the short term, prices were expected to fluctuate rangebound in line with cost movements, with the HRC May contract facing pressure around 3,285.