[SMM Weekly Review] This week (March 23–March 27), platinum prices rose first and then fell back. On the GFEX in China, the most-traded platinum futures contract PT2606 opened at 487.1 yuan/gram and closed at 493.05 yuan/gram, down 23.5 yuan/gram from the previous week's settlement price, a decline of 4.53%. The highest price during the week was 518.85 yuan/gram, and the lowest price during the week was 437.25 yuan/gram; the most-traded palladium contract PD2606 opened at 355 yuan/gram and closed at 358.2 yuan/gram, down 16.15 yuan/gram from the previous week's settlement price, a decline of 4.31%. The highest price during the week was 380.65 yuan/gram, and the lowest price during the week was 321.15 yuan/gram. In futures trading, the most-traded platinum contract PT2606 posted total weekly trading volume of 46,314 lots, total turnover of 22.397 billion yuan, and open interest of 16,467 lots, with open interest down 2,049 lots WoW. The most-traded palladium contract PD2606 posted total weekly trading volume of 24,537 lots, total turnover of 8.71 billion yuan, and open interest of 7,356 lots, with open interest down 492 lots WoW. Recently, as geopolitical conflict in the Middle East persisted, the precious metals market as a whole entered a stagflation panic mode. The specific logic was that the US-Iran conflict exceeded expectations, pushing up oil prices and thereby triggering concerns over imported inflation in the US, which in turn delayed the pace of interest rate cuts. Regarding the US-Iran conflict, on March 26, Trump announced a 10-day extension of the deadline for Iran's energy facilities; according to Iran's Tasnim News Agency, informed sources said Iran had concluded that the US negotiation statement was a "deception" project, with three real objectives under its cover: first, to deceive the international community by fabricating a posture of peace; second, to suppress global oil prices; third, to buy preparation time for an aggressive ground invasion launched from southern Iran. Regarding the independence of the US Fed, the US Department of Justice admitted that its investigation into Powell lacked evidence. On tariffs, after the US reciprocal tariff was overturned by the Supreme Court, policy uncertainty increased, and the Trump administration was seeking a more solid legal basis to reconstruct the tariff system: in the short term, using Section 122 temporary tariffs to fill the tariff-rate vacuum, and in the medium and long term, planning to rely on Sections 232 and 301 to maintain a high-tariff framework. In addition, the ruling that the tariffs were illegal triggered pressure for massive tax refunds, exacerbating the US fiscal burden and reinforcing expectations for a weaker US dollar. Supply side, Eskom will raise electricity prices by 8% for two consecutive years in the future, and recently frequent announcements of breakdowns in negotiations with the mine side have led some miners to shut down their international operations, triggering concerns over supply disruptions in platinum and palladium. In addition, continue to monitor changes in the US dollar index, which involve the relative strength of currencies such as the euro and the yen. Watch for details on the new manager announced by the LME. Monitor the latest changes in the Middle East political situation. The precious metals sector mainly benefited from the interplay between policy and the political environment under the US Fed's midterm election time window. Strategy-wise, a strategic bullish view on precious metals was still maintained, and pullbacks were seen as opportunities to build long positions for the medium and long-term. In the short term, as the risk of escalation in the Middle East conflict has not been eliminated, the strength of any rebound may remain limited, and prices may fluctuate at lows. Under high volatility in platinum and palladium, attention should be paid to position control. Due to the discontinuity between domestic and overseas market trading, the opening prices of platinum and palladium often refer to overseas night session conditions, and investors should pay attention to trading prices in international markets and stay alert to opening gaps.

[SMM Stainless Steel Daily Review] Geopolitical Disruptions Coupled With Cost Support Kept Spot Stainless Steel Stable SMM News on March 27: SS futures stopped falling and rebounded. Uncertainty remained high around news related to geopolitical conflicts, and futures were still likely to maintain a fluctuating trend. As of the midday close, the quote stood at 14,395 yuan/mt. In the spot market, affected by fluctuations in SS futures, downstream transaction demand for rigid needs had been largely released at the beginning of the week. At present, the arbitrage window in futures had closed, and spot stainless steel transactions pulled back accordingly. Stainless steel mills were currently operating at losses, and with cost support, mills still showed a strong willingness to hold prices firm, while spot prices mostly remained stable. The most-traded SS futures contract stopped falling and rebounded. At 10:15 a.m., SS2605 was quoted at 14,355 yuan/mt, down 85 yuan/mt from the previous trading day. Spot premiums for 304/2B in Wuxi were in the range of 165-365 yuan/mt. In the spot market, the average price of cold-rolled 201/2B coil in Wuxi was unchanged; for cold-rolled trim-edge 304/2B coil, the average price in Wuxi fell by 50 yuan/mt, and the average price in Foshan also fell by 50 yuan/mt; cold-rolled 316L/2B coil in Wuxi was unchanged; for hot-rolled 316L/NO.1 coil, the Wuxi quote was unchanged; cold-rolled 430/2B coil in both Wuxi and Foshan remained stable. The stainless steel market had now entered the traditional peak consumption season. Downstream end-user transactions remained steady, but market sentiment turned cautious. End-users lacked willingness to stockpile, and procurement was still mainly driven by restocking based on immediate needs. The brisk trading pattern typical of the peak season had not emerged, and overall demand remained stable and neutral. Futures...

SMM Morning Meeting Summary: Overnight, LME copper opened at $12,264.5/mt. After testing a low of $12,282.5/mt in early trading, its center fluctuated downward, nearing the close and hitting a low of $12,079/mt, before finally closing at $12,120/mt, down 1.33. Trading volume reached 18,000 lots, open interest stood at 296,000 lots, an increase of 326 lots from the previous trading day, mainly reflecting bears adding positions overall. Overnight, the most-traded SHFE copper 2605 contract opened at 95,350 yuan/mt, tested a low of 95,900 yuan/mt in early trading, and then its center moved lower to a low of 94,950 yuan/mt, before finally closing at 95,150 yuan/mt, down 0.45. Trading volume reached 39,000 lots, open interest stood at 188,000 lots, a decrease of 2,104 lots from the previous trading day, mainly reflecting bulls reducing positions overall.

On March 26, the Shanghai International Energy Exchange issued a notice on adjusting the trading margin ratios and price limit ranges for newly listed Container Freight Index (Europe Service) futures contracts. Notice on Adjusting the Trading Margin Ratios and Price Limit Ranges for Newly Listed Container Freight Index (Europe Service) Futures Contracts To all relevant parties: Upon review and decision, the price limit ranges and trading margin ratios for the following contract shall be adjusted as follows from the date of listing: For the Container Freight Index (Europe Service) EC2703 contract, the price limit range shall be 20%, the trading margin ratio for hedging positions shall be 22%, and the trading margin ratio for general positions shall be 22%. In the event of any circumstance specified in Article 16 of the Detailed Rules of the Shanghai International Energy Exchange on Risk Control Management, adjustments shall be made on the basis of the above price limit ranges and trading margin ratios. Other matters concerning price limits and trading margins shall be implemented in accordance with the Detailed Rules of the Shanghai International Energy Exchange on Risk Control Management and other relevant business rules. Hereby notified. Shanghai International Energy Exchange Mar 2026 Shanghai International Energy Exchange Mar 2026

On March 26, the Shanghai International Energy Exchange issued a notice on adjusting the trading limit for newly listed contracts of Containerized Freight Index (Europe Service) futures. Notice on Adjusting the Trading Limit for Newly Listed Contracts of Containerized Freight Index (Europe Service) Futures To All Relevant Parties: In accordance with the relevant provisions of the Detailed Rules of the Shanghai International Energy Exchange on Risk Control Management and other applicable rules, it was decided after deliberation that, effective from the time the Containerized Freight Index (Europe Service) futures EC2703 contract is listed, the maximum number of intraday opening trades by non-futures company members, overseas special non-broker participants, and clients in such contract shall be 50 lots. The maximum number of intraday opening trades for account groups under the same actual control relationship shall be implemented in accordance with the standard for a single client. The number of opening trades for hedging transactions and market-making transactions shall not be subject to this limit. Hereby notified. Shanghai International Energy Exchange Mar 2026

[SMM Shanghai Spot Copper] Looking ahead to tomorrow, the Shanghai spot copper market is expected to remain under pressure. After copper prices jumped, downstream procurement sentiment pulled back, indicating limited acceptance of current price levels. From the market structure perspective, suppliers showed strong willingness to sell, with some brands continuing to offload cargo, putting pressure on discounts. Downstream buyers mostly maintained a wait-and-see stance, with procurement mainly driven by rigid demand and buying on dips. It is worth noting that the price spread between high-quality copper and standard-quality copper narrowed somewhat from the previous period, indicating that the market trading structure has become more rational, with actual consumption demand becoming the dominant force at the current stage. Overall, amid the tug-of-war between suppliers actively selling and downstream buyers purchasing cautiously, spot prices against the 2604 contract are expected to maintain the current discount level tomorrow.

SMM Morning Meeting Summary: Overnight, LME copper opened at $12,016.5/mt. After dipping to $11,955.5/mt in early trading, its center rose sharply to a high of $12,160/mt, and then continued to hover at highs, finally closing at $12,092.5/mt, down 1.05%. Trading volume reached 23,000 lots, open interest stood at 293,000 lots, up 406 lots from the previous trading day, mainly reflecting increased short positions overall. Overnight, the most-traded SHFE copper 2605 contract opened at 93,600 yuan/mt and touched a low of 93,480 yuan/mt at the open. Its center then moved higher to a high of 94,990 yuan/mt, after which copper prices maintained a fluctuating trend at highs, finally closing at 94,670 yuan/mt, up 0.17%. Trading volume reached 51,000 lots, open interest stood at 198,000 lots, down 533 lots from the previous trading day, mainly reflecting reduced short positions throughout the day.

[SMM Stainless Steel Daily Review] News-Driven Disturbances Pushed SS Futures Higher to Test the Upside, Confidence in the Stainless Steel Spot Market Gradually Recovered SMM News, March 24: SS futures rose strongly. Affected by market fluctuations triggered by news of geopolitical conflict yesterday, SS futures rose sharply in the night session, and the daytime session maintained a fluctuating but relatively strong trend, closing at 14,290 yuan/mt by midday. In the spot market, boosted by the sharp rise in SS futures, market confidence somewhat recovered; although the increase in traders' spot quotations was limited, both inquiries and transactions showed signs of recovery during the week. The current market is heavily disturbed by news factors, and changes in the geopolitical conflict still need close attention. The most-traded SS futures contract strengthened and moved higher. At 10:15 a.m., SS2605 was quoted at 14,305 yuan/mt, up 125 yuan/mt from the previous trading day. Spot premiums for 304/2B in Wuxi were in the range of 115-315 yuan/mt. In the spot market, the average price of cold-rolled 201/2B coils in Wuxi rose by 50 yuan/mt; for cold-rolled trim-edge 304/2B coils, the average price in Wuxi rose by 50 yuan/mt, while the average price in Foshan was unchanged; cold-rolled 316L/2B coils in Wuxi were unchanged; for hot-rolled 316L/NO.1 coils, Wuxi quotations were unchanged; cold-rolled 430/2B coils in both Wuxi and Foshan were also unchanged. As the market entered the traditional peak consumption season of "Golden March and Silver April," although the stainless steel market ushered in a seasonal recovery window, end-use demand fell short of expectations, downstream wait-and-see sentiment gradually intensified, and the procurement side only maintained a restocking pace for rigid demand, with none of the transaction momentum typically seen in the peak season emerging. The market's view on stainless steel prices...

[SMM Shanghai Spot Copper] Copper prices rose from yesterday, but both buying and selling sentiment pulled back intraday, indicating that downstream acceptance of current price levels remained limited. In terms of market structure, under the current price spread between futures contracts structure, suppliers showed strong willingness to sell, with some offloading cargo, driving overall spot discounts down rapidly, while downstream willingness to make counteroffers was relatively evident. Entering the second trading session, after premiums were cut further, market transactions improved somewhat, but downstream procurement remained generally cautious, mainly focused on restocking on dips, with insufficient willingness to chase higher prices. Overall, amid the tug-of-war between suppliers actively selling and downstream buyers purchasing cautiously, Shanghai spot copper discounts were expected to remain under pressure tomorrow.

SMM Morning Meeting Summary: Overnight, LME copper opened at $11,816/mt. After dipping to $11,798/mt in early trading, its center rose sharply to a high of $12,395/mt, then hovered at highs, and finally closed at $12,221/mt, up 3.27%. Trading volume reached 52,000 lots, and open interest stood at 292,000 lots, down 944 lots from the previous trading day, mainly reflecting bears cutting positions overall. Overnight, the most-traded SHFE copper 2605 contract opened at 95,010 yuan/mt. After the opening, its center moved higher to a high of 95,900 yuan/mt, after which copper prices maintained a fluctuating trend at highs. Near the close, it dipped to 94,530 yuan/mt and finally closed at 93,840 yuan/mt, up 2.12%. Trading volume reached 120,000 lots, and open interest stood at 198,000 lots, down 6,741 lots from the previous trading day, mainly reflecting bears cutting positions throughout the day.