The 2025 2nd SMM Southeast Asia Automotive Supply Chain Conference was successfully held, featuring the release of 10 new car models, Southeast Asia brand strategies from three automakers, and SMM Thailand local steel prices. The event facilitated efficient matchmaking between 12+ buyers and 60+ suppliers, preliminarily establishing a communication platform for the entire industry chain of Southeast Asian automotive. Currently, the Southeast Asian NEV industry is entering a critical development phase, with Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam each making their own strategic moves and breakthroughs, while the industry also faces challenges such as supply chain restructuring, technology route competition, and localization compliance. Thanks to the support from all parties, SMM's Thailand and Indonesia local pricing systems have been implemented and adopted by core enterprises, establishing a credible cost benchmark for the industry. The 2026 3rd Conference will focus on three core themes: exploring the NEV auto sales potential in Southeast Asia; connecting the last mile of the supply chain and integrating regional industry chain resources; and advancing SMM Southeast Asia metal pricing from a price reference to a transaction benchmark, implementing electrification material procurement applications and establishing an executable pricing system. We firmly believe that true progress comes from turning consensus into action. At this conference, sincerely invites you to gather again in Bangkok, to jointly transform strategic blueprints into market competitive advantages, to witness and participate in this extraordinary and far-reaching industry event, and to co-create a brilliant new chapter! Click the to register now. Powering Homes and Roads Ahead Union Industry (Hong Kong) Holding Co. , Limited is a professional global supplier of components, focused on meeting the supply chain needs of multinational companies' industrial products. The company has developed a business model driven by a dual engine of '1+6' advanced manufacturing and manufacturing value-added services. By integrating global resources, it provides comprehensive services to customers, becoming a reliable partner for many international companies. To be a global leader in components and sub-assemblies, driving value through manufacturing excellence and end-to-end supply chain management. Process Process Integrated Fine Blanking Post-processing Solution Integrated Post-processing Solution Fine Blanking → Deburring → Sizing → Heat Treatment → Surface Coating → Cleaning → Inspection Clients We Work With Customer We Work With Contact Contact Shirley Wang M: +86 18573109058 E: shirley.wang@unindasia.com Contact Us Yan Caowei 15618581967 yancaowei@smm.cn

On April 24, 2026, the State Taxation Administration officially released the "Positive and Negative List for Taxpayers' Compliant Invoice Issuance," providing clear and itemized guidance that both better safeguards taxpayers' legitimate rights and promotes the rectification of circular invoicing, mutual invoicing, and invoicing with artificially inflated transaction links

[SMM Steel] Global steel and raw material prices continued rising in April 2026, with HRC, billet, scrap, and iron ore prices increasing 6.3–18.9% YoY, while coking coal surged 30.1% YoY. Imported US HMS 1/2 80:20 scrap prices to Vietnam rose 7.1% MoM and 13.8% YoY, while imported HRC prices also increased sharply in late April. In Vietnam, domestic HRC prices increased by around VND 900–988/kg, and coated steel prices continued rising with some mills raising prices 4–5 times during the month due to higher input costs. Against this backdrop, VNSTEEL’s total finished steel consumption in the first four months of 2026 increased 16.9% YoY, with long steel sales rising 30% and metal products growing 37.4%, supported by improving domestic construction and infrastructure demand.

[SMM Steel] A US$125 million joint venture between US and Indian investors will build a metal pipe manufacturing facility in Jordan’s Quweira Industrial Zone, with annual production capacity of 500,000 tons. The plant will mainly supply pipes for Jordan’s National Water Carrier Project and the Risha gas project, including a 450-km desalinated water pipeline from Aqaba to Amman. The project is expected to create around 450 local jobs and also target export markets. Jordan’s water infrastructure plan will use reverse osmosis technology and aims to integrate 30% renewable energy by 2030.

On May 5, London Metal Exchange (LME): total inventory 360,225 mt, change -2,500 mt; registered warrants 331,725 mt, change -200 mt; cancelled warrants 28,500 mt, change +2,300 mt.

[SMM Coking Coal and Coke Daily Brief] In terms of supply, coking costs were generally stable with a slight increase, and coke enterprises had good shipments, with their own coke inventory falling to low levels, leaving no sales pressure. Demand side, end-use demand for finished steel products had weakening expectations, and hot metal output was expected to see a slight correction this week, weakening rigid demand for coke. Steel mills showed strong resistance to the third round of coke price increases. However, ferrous metals futures rose broadly today, and after consumption during the Labour Day holiday, some steel mills saw their coke inventory decline, making it possible for those mills to accept the third round of coke price increases. In summary, coke and steel enterprises may continue to negotiate, and the coke market is expected to remain generally stable with slight rise in the short term.

Gold has been pulled in two directions in recent weeks. On one side, rising oil prices and escalating geopolitical tensions have strengthened the metal’s safe-haven appeal.

SMM Analysis: On April 30, SMM's monthly blister copper RCs in south China was 850-1,050 yuan/mt, with an average of 950 yuan/mt, down 850 yuan/mt MoM...

SMM May 6 News: The most-traded SHFE lead 2606 contract opened at 16,690 yuan/mt during the session. Driven by a broad rally in non-ferrous metals at the start of trading, futures held up well with a fluctuating trend, and the lead price center steadily rose, touching a high of 17,005 yuan/mt. Near the close, the rally slowed down somewhat, with prices consolidating slightly at high levels, ultimately closing at 16,980 yuan/mt, up 350 yuan/mt or 2.1%, recording a small bullish candlestick. Currently, domestic secondary lead smelters are constrained by undersupply of scrap battery raw materials, with increasing production cuts and shutdowns. Regional supply contraction supported spot cargo and futures. A sudden safety accident at a major lead-zinc smelter outside China introduced uncertainty to the subsequent global lead ingot supply, which is expected to provide short-term support for domestic lead prices. However, the consumption side in China remained persistently weak, with no notable improvement in downstream demand in May. Combined with the high probability of intensifying lead ingot inventory buildup pressure after the holiday, upside room for lead prices will be constrained. SHFE lead is expected to maintain a fluctuating trend in the short term. Data source statement: Data other than public information is derived from public information, market communication, and SMM's internal database models, processed by SMM for reference only and does not constitute decision-making advice.

[SMM Chrome Daily Review: Post-Holiday Market Temporarily Stable, Trading Activity Limited] May 6, 2026: The ferrochrome and chrome ore market saw limited fluctuations...