[SMM Copper Anode Market] Due to tightening policies, tax-inclusive copper scrap was relatively tight in the market. From May 1 to May 7, the SMM weekly operating rate of China's copper anode producers using scrap was 46.35%, down 2.9 percentage points WoW.

Raw material side, spot lithium carbonate prices continued to rise this week, driven by supply-side disruptions that continued to strengthen tighter Q2 expectations and significant position increases in far-month contracts. Nickel salt prices edged up, while the cobalt salt market remained lackluster and basically stable.

[SMM Rare Earth Weekly Review: Market Sluggish around Holiday, Rare Earth Prices in the Doldrums] The Pr-Nd oxide market saw a poor trading atmosphere recently. Downstream metal plants showed low enthusiasm in inquiries and procurement around the holiday, but upstream suppliers maintained firm offers amid tight spot cargo availability, and low-priced sources remained difficult to find. Overall, Pr-Nd oxide price fluctuations were relatively small. As of today, Pr-Nd oxide prices adjusted slightly downward to 762,000-768,000 yuan/mt.

Leading US steel producers, including Nucor, Gerdau, and Optimus Steel, have announced a general price increase for rebar by $20 per short ton ($1.00 per cwt), effective immediately in May 2026. This move follows a period of price consolidation and is largely driven by rising raw material costs, particularly ferrous scrap, and sustained demand from domestic infrastructure projects. The hike brings the market price floor higher, signaling a shift toward a more hawkish pricing environment in the North American long products sector. If successfully absorbed by the market, this increase may prompt other regional mini-mills to follow suit, potentially raising construction costs across the US in the second quarter of 2026.

Germany's crude steel production fell by 8.6% to a historical low of 34.1 million metric tons (mt) in 2025, remaining well below the 40 million mt designed capacity threshold required for sustainable industry utilization. Consequently, domestic steel mills' scrap purchases declined by 5.3% to 12.0 million mt, forcing a shift in trade dynamics that resulted in a net scrap export surplus of 3.7 million mt, as scrap exports rose by 5.3% to 7.7 million mt while imports dropped by 9.4% to 3.9 million mt.

Turkey's crude steel production grew by 5.3% year-on-year to 9.7 million metric tons (mt) in the first quarter of 2026, supported by a 6.4% output increase in March to 3.3 million mt. Meanwhile, domestic finished steel consumption surged 8.9% year-on-year to 9.9 million mt in Q1, but the foreign trade balance weakened as steel exports dropped 6.8% to 3.5 million mt while imports climbed 2.6% to 4.3 million mt, pushing the export-to-import ratio down to 77.7%. Although Middle East supply chain shifts and reduced Chinese export aggression opened market opportunities in Europe, producers face mounting operational pressures and narrowing profit margins due to scrap prices approaching $400/mt, surging freight rates, and stringent EU import regulations.

JSW Steel delivered record production and sales in FY2024-25, but weaker steel realizations dragged down revenue and margins, creating a clear growth paradox: higher volumes but lower earnings quality. As India’s largest steelmaker, JSW’s next challenge is to turn its scale into more resilient earnings through higher VASP contribution, stronger raw material security, selective overseas improvement, technology partnerships, and decarbonization readiness.

【SMM Steel】Turkey's March finished steel consumption rose 20.9% y/y to 3.2Mt, crude steel output up 6.4% to 3.3Mt. Q1 exports fell 6.8% in volume and 9.4% in value. Middle East tensions are reshaping supply chains. Turkey is gaining market share in Europe but surging scrap/energy prices and freight/insurance costs are squeezing margins. Steel imports surged 38.2% y/y in March. New EU trade restrictions are a critical issue. The association called for proactive steps to shield the domestic industry from dumping amid rapidly spreading steel protectionism.

JFE Steel commenced operations of its new electric furnace at the Chiba District of East Japan Works. The 15-billion-yen facility is designed to significantly increase scrap metal utilization in stainless steel production, replacing blast furnace molten iron. The upgrade expands JFE’s scrap melting capacity sixfold to 300,000 tons per year, which is expected to slash annual greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 450,000 tons. This project represents a pivotal step in JFE Steel's roadmap toward achieving carbon neutrality by 2030 through innovative, low-carbon manufacturing processes.

SMM Morning Meeting Summary: Overnight, LME copper opened at $13,400.5/mt, touched a high of $13,462/mt early in the session before its center fluctuated downward, dipped to $13,328/mt before the center rose, and ultimately moved sideways to close at $13,391.5/mt, up 2.22%, with trading volume at 27,000 lots and open interest at 268,000 lots, an increase of 1,485 lots from the previous trading day, indicating bulls adding positions. Overnight, the most-traded SHFE copper 2606 contract opened at 103,350 yuan/mt, touched a high of 103,370 yuan/mt right at the open, then its center dipped to 102,850 yuan/mt before staying high and moving sideways, ultimately closing at 103,160 yuan/mt, up 0.49%, with trading volume at 36,000 lots and open interest at 199,000 lots, a decrease of 185 lots from the previous trading day, mainly indicating bears reducing positions.