[SMM Daily Review: Market Transaction Prices Further Decline, Short-Term Nickel Pig Iron Prices May Be in the Doldrums] On June 13, the average price of SMM 8-12% high-grade NPI was 933.5 yuan/mtu (ex-factory, tax included), down 5.5 yuan/mtu from the previous working day...
Jun 13, 2025 18:05SMM News on June 10: Metal Market: As of the daytime close, domestic market base metals showed mixed performance. SHFE zinc and SHFE nickel both fell by over 1%, with SHFE zinc down 1.27% and SHFE nickel down 1.06%. SHFE copper, SHFE lead, and SHFE tin all rose, with SHFE lead leading the gains with a 0.9% increase, SHFE copper up 0.27%, and SHFE tin up 0.21%. The main alumina contract fell by 0.31%, while the main cast aluminum alloy contract surged over 5% on its debut trading day, closing at 19,190 yuan/mt with a 4.49% increase as of the daytime close. 》Surged over 5% on debut! Cast aluminum alloy makes a "strong start" - can it sustain the momentum? [SMM Flash News] In addition, the main lithium carbonate contract rose by 0.16%, the main polysilicon contract fell by 0.83%, and the main silicon metal contract rose by 0.82%. The main European container shipping contract fell by 0.95%. The ferrous metals series showed mixed performance. Stainless steel fell by 1.46%, iron ore fell by 0.85%, and HRC closed flat at 3,089 yuan/mt. In the coking coal and coke segment, coking coal rose by 0.51% and coke rose by 0.48%. In the overseas market, as of 15:09, overseas market metals showed mixed performance. LME lead rose by 0.38%, LME copper fell by 0.44%, and LME tin fell by 0.42%. LME lead led the gains with a 0.38% increase, while the price fluctuations of other metals were relatively small. In the precious metals segment, as of 15:09, COMEX gold fell by 0.26% and COMEX silver fell by 0.6%. Domestically, SHFE gold fell by 0.03% and SHFE silver rose by 0.62%. Market movements as of 15:09 today 》Click to view SMM Market Dashboard Macro Front Domestic Aspect: [NDRC: Will propose a batch of major strategic tasks, policy initiatives, and engineering projects in the field of people's livelihood] The State Council Information Office held a press conference at 10 a.m. today, inviting Xiao Weiming, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), and relevant officials from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Civil Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, and National Health Commission to introduce policies on further safeguarding and improving people's livelihood and answer questions from reporters. Xiao Weiming, Deputy Secretary-General of the NDRC, stated at the press conference that the NDRC will implement the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee, work with all parties to prepare the "15th Five-Year Plan" based on thorough surveys, and propose a batch of major strategic tasks, policy initiatives, and engineering projects in the field of people's livelihood to incorporate people's livelihood construction into the national "15th Five-Year Plan" development blueprint. 》Click to view details [PBOC's Open Market Operations Net Withdraw 255.9 Billion Yuan Today] The PBOC conducted 198.6 billion yuan of 7-day reverse repo operations today. As 454.5 billion yuan of 7-day reverse repos matured today, a net withdrawal of 255.9 billion yuan was realized on the day. ► On June 10, the central parity rate of the RMB exchange rate in the interbank foreign exchange market was 7.1840 yuan per US dollar. US dollar side: As of 15:09, the US dollar index rose by 0.3% to 99.32. In the US, inflation expectations among the public pulled back in May, and the market held certain expectations for the US Fed to cut interest rates in H2. This week, US inflation data will be released, which is expected to provide more guidance on the direction of the US Fed's policy. A report released by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on Monday showed that in May, US citizens' anxiety about the future inflation path eased somewhat, and their views on their personal financial situations became more optimistic. The New York Fed pointed out in its May Survey of Consumer Expectations report that inflation expectations across all timeframes it measures had pulled back. Respondents' one-year inflation expectation was 3.2%, compared to 3.6% in April; the three-year inflation expectation was 3%, compared to 3.2% in April; and the five-year inflation expectation was 2.6%, compared to 2.7% in April. Macro side: Today, data such as China's M2 money supply annual growth rate for May, China's total social financing for the year to date as of May, China's new RMB loans for the year to date as of May, the UK's unemployment rate for April (ILO standard), the UK's average weekly earnings including bonuses for the three months to April (annual growth rate), Australia's ANZ consumer confidence index for the week ending June 8, Switzerland's consumer confidence index for May (seasonally adjusted), and the Eurozone's Sentix investor confidence index for June will be released. In addition, the deadline for the EU's public consultation is June 10, 2025. This date marks the final window of peace before the EU considers imposing retaliatory tariffs on US goods worth up to 95 billion euros. He Lifeng visited the UK from June 8 to 13 and held the first meeting of the China-US economic and trade consultation mechanism. Crude oil side: As of 15:09, oil prices in both markets rose together, with US crude oil up by 0.05% and Brent crude oil up by 0.13%. The market is looking forward to the results of the new round of China-US economic and trade talks. The overall macro atmosphere is optimistic, and oil prices continue to rebound towards the previous high resistance area. The progress of negotiations between the US and Iran on the nuclear agreement remains unclear, with significant differences between the two sides on key terms. US sanctions have caused buyers to waver in their procurement positions, and Iran's crude oil exports have been hindered. OPEC+ ended its voluntary production cut policy that had lasted for two and a half years in April this year, clearly formulating a production increase plan for May-July, and beginning a new round of production increase cycle. It may continue to maintain a daily production increase of 411,000 barrels in August-September. However, from the perspective of actual implementation, this production increase process has not been smooth. According to Bloomberg, the actual crude oil production of eight OPEC countries that planned to increase production in May only increased by 140,000 barrels per day (bpd) compared to April, far below the original target of 410,000 bpd. Among them, Saudi Arabia actually increased production by 110,000 bpd, while countries like Iraq, the UAE, and Kazakhstan, which often exceeded production quotas in the past, maintained relatively stable production levels this time, without further violations of the production agreement. Taking a comprehensive view of the data from April to May, the total actual production increase of OPEC+ over these two months was only 100,000 bpd, far from the planned target of 550,000 bpd. The implementation of OPEC's subsequent production increase plans may face significant challenges, and there is considerable uncertainty about whether the expected production increase targets can be achieved as scheduled. This also implies that the degree of supply surplus in the crude oil market may not be as severe as previously estimated by the market. (Wenhua Comprehensive) SMM Daily Review ► Stainless steel in the doldrums, raw materials under pressure, short-term nickel iron prices may be in the doldrums [NPI Daily Review] ► [SMM Nickel Sulphate Daily Review] On June 10, nickel salt prices remained stable. ► [SMM MHP Daily Review] On June 10, Indonesian MHP prices rose slightly.
Jun 10, 2025 15:28On Monday, nickel prices fluctuated, with the most-traded SHFE nickel contract closing at 1,252,000 yuan/mt, up 0.75% from the previous day. From a macro perspective, US tariff policies are gradually being implemented, and the final outcome and its economic impact remain to be seen. Regarding the US Fed's stance, Powell indicated that interest rate cuts would be considered only after the situation becomes clearer, suggesting that in the absence of significant weakening in US economic "hard data," short-term concerns may lean more towards inflation rather than recession risks. Supply side, in March 2025, national refined nickel production reached 36,700 mt, setting a new monthly record, and a slight increase is expected in April. Demand side, downstream acceptance of high nickel prices is limited, and spot transactions have noticeably cooled this week as nickel prices strengthened. Cost side, nickel ore prices remained strong this week, and the transaction coefficient for intermediate products continued to fluctuate at highs, providing solid short-term cost support. However, with increased supply from Philippine nickel mines and weaker production schedules for downstream nickel sulphate and stainless steel, ore prices and intermediate product prices are expected to ease. Overall, the macro perspective still faces significant uncertainties, and while short-term cost support is strong, there is an expectation of marginal weakening. We recommend considering short positions at higher levels. This week, the price range for the most-traded SHFE nickel contract is expected to be 120,000-130,000 yuan/mt, and the LME nickel 3M contract is expected to range from 15,000-16,300 $/mt.
Apr 22, 2025 09:38Market Review As of April 11, the closing price of the most-traded SHFE nickel contract was 121,300 yuan/mt. Nickel prices rebounded from an oversold position during the week, with a 4.74% decline compared to the closing price on April 3. The closing price mainly fluctuated between 118,640 and 121,600 yuan/mt. Logical Perspective Macro side: The US imposed reciprocal tariffs on April 2, which far exceeded expectations. In the first half of the week, the market traded on recession and risk aversion. Later, the US suspended tariff hikes on some countries, and market risk appetite began to recover from Thursday. Under the US President's "capricious" style, tariffs will dominate the macro narrative in April. Attention should be paid to subsequent Sino-US tariff negotiations, re-export trade, and domestic policies to stimulate domestic demand. Raw material side: The Indonesian government once again announced that the PNBP policy on nickel resources would be implemented in the second week of April, and the expected increase in costs for the nickel stainless steel industry chain may soon materialize. On the nickel ore side, the supply of nickel ore futures remained tight, and Indonesian nickel ore prices remained firm. On the nickel sulphate side, battery-grade nickel sulphate prices slightly declined due to reduced cost support and cautious downstream观望. Supply and demand side: Last week, the center of nickel prices significantly shifted downward, and downstream restocking was released, leading to a decline in social inventory of refined nickel. China's social inventory of refined nickel in 27 warehouses decreased by 2,549 mt to 42,896 mt, a drop of 5.61%. Among this, warrant inventory decreased by 2,907 mt to 24,464 mt, while LME nickel inventory increased by 4,242 mt to 204,492 mt, a rise of 2.12%. Market Outlook and Investment Advice In summary, with a marginal easing of the global trade war, short-term macro sentiment may improve. Coupled with the strong expectation of the implementation of Indonesia's nickel PNBP policy in the near term, short-term nickel prices may recover upward. The main fluctuation range for the most-traded contract this week is expected to be 116,000-127,000 yuan/mt, with caution against repeated tariff policies. Risk Warning Domestic consumption exceeds expectations; policy changes in major nickel-supplying countries; overseas macro risks; unexpected changes in Indonesian nickel ore supply.
Apr 14, 2025 09:32Nickel Prices Show Short-Term Strength, Long-Term Inventory Still Faces Surplus Pressure This Week, Nickel Prices Fluctuated Downward. Spot Prices Varied Between 129,800 and 132,400 Yuan/mt, While SHFE Nickel Futures Prices Ranged from 128,000 to 134,000 Yuan/mt.
Mar 21, 2025 15:59[SMM Analysis: Indonesian Nickel Ore Approval Quota Reaches 298 Million wmt by 2025, Medium and Long-Term High-Grade NPI Supply and Demand Remain Tight] In the short term, Indonesian nickel ore supply is sufficient, coupled with the recovery in stainless steel demand, maintaining a loose supply and demand balance for high-grade NPI. In the medium and long term, ...
Feb 21, 2025 18:11APNI Secretary General Meidy Katrin Lengkey stated at a meeting with the Indonesian House of Representatives Legislative Body (Baleg DPR RI) on Wednesday, January 22, "Yesterday, we discussed the issue of reducing production to 150 million mt. Just this news alone prompted Macquarie London to issue a statement saying that if the production quota in the Work Plan and Budget (RKAB) is reduced to 150 million mt, nickel prices will return to the level of $20,000 per mt. Meanwhile, today's price is still around $15,000 per mt.
Jan 23, 2025 13:53[1.7 Nickel Morning Meeting Summary] Spot Premiums/Discounts: Today, the mainstream spot premiums for Jinchuan No.1 nickel were quoted in the range of 3,500-3,600 yuan/mt, with an average premium of 3,550 yuan/mt, up by 350 yuan. The spot premiums/discounts for Russian nickel were quoted in the range of -100 to 100 yuan/mt, with an average of 0 yuan/mt, unchanged from the previous trading day. In terms of futures...
Jan 7, 2025 09:30On May 11, the SMM battery-grade nickel sulfate index price was 30,948 yuan/ton, an increase of 220 yuan/ton from the previous working day, and the price of battery-grade nickel sulfate was 30,700-31,200 yuan/ton, with an average price increase of 200 yuan/ton from the previous working day.
May 13, 2024 16:47The premium of Indonesian nickel ore held steady, while Philippine nickel ore transactions were active
May 13, 2024 13:51