[SMM Morning Meeting Minutes: U.S.-Iran Tensions Fluctuate, LME Zinc Center Shifts Downward] Overnight, LME zinc opened at $3,310/mt. In the early session, LME zinc fluctuated upward and touched a high of $3,343.5/mt during European trading hours. Subsequently, bears increased their open interest, and the LME zinc center shifted downward, hitting a low of $3,295/mt during the night session. The center then lifted, and LME zinc ultimately closed lower at $3,323/mt, down $12/mt, a decline of 0.36%. Trading volume rose to 9,399 lots, and open interest increased by 4,520 lots to 217,000 lots.

Under the guidance of MIIT, the China Photovoltaic Industry Association (CPIA) has begun drafting the 'General Rules for PV Product Manufacturing Cost Assessment Models.' This standard will cover the entire value chain—polysilicon, wafers, cells, and modules—to establish a unified benchmark for industry-wide cost comparisons. Separately, MIIT is seeking public comment on a mandatory national safety standard for terrestrial PV modules with system voltages up to 1,500 V, ensuring stricter reliability for utility-scale projects.

[SMM Silicon-Based PV Morning Meeting Summary: Some Module Makers Looking to Hold Prices Firm, Silicon Metal in the Doldrums] Over the weekend, N-type recharging polysilicon was quoted at 34-36.5 yuan/kg. Weekend market prices remained temporarily stable. The market is currently approaching its lows, providing some price support, but the surplus remains significant, and downstream buyers still have a mindset to push for lower prices.

[Silicon Metal Prices Remained Stagnant at Low Levels]: The silicon metal market remained stagnant with a weak tone this week, with price centers for some specifications shifting lower. As of April 9, SMM east China oxygen-blown #553 silicon was at 8,900-9,100 yuan/mt, down 100 yuan/mt WoW; #441 silicon was at 9,200-9,300 yuan/mt, down 100 yuan/mt WoW; #421 silicon was at 9,300-9,500 yuan/mt, down 100 yuan/mt WoW; and #3303 silicon was at 10,100-10,300 yuan/mt, flat WoW. In the futures market, the most-traded silicon metal contract moved sideways around 8,200-8,400 yuan/mt over the past week, as the silicon metal market was under pressure with narrow price fluctuations.

[SMM Silicon-Based PV Morning Meeting Summary] Silicon metal: Spot silicon metal prices trended weaker yesterday. SMM east China oxygen-blown #553 silicon was at 8,900-9,100 yuan/mt, down 100 yuan/mt from the previous day. #441 silicon was at 9,200-9,300 yuan/mt, down 100 yuan/mt from the previous day. The SI2605 contract closed at 8,260 yuan/mt yesterday. The decline in silicon prices stimulated the release of some rigid demand orders from downstream buyers and traders. With weak supply and demand, silicon prices consolidated at lows. Polysilicon: N-type recharging polysilicon was quoted at 34.5-37.5 yuan/kg. Polysilicon prices continued to decline recently, and bearish sentiment persisted in the market. Some individual transactions below current mainstream transaction prices emerged. Polysilicon inventory pressure remained significant, exerting pressure on future prices.

[Silicon Metal Price Center Remained in the Doldrums]: This week, the silicon metal market stayed weak, with the transaction center for some silicon metal grades edging lower. As of April 2, SMM east China prices were oxygen-blown #553 silicon at 9,000-9,200 yuan/mt, down 100 yuan/mt WoW; 441# silicon at 9,300-9,400 yuan/mt, down 50 yuan/mt WoW; and 3303# silicon at 10,100-10,300 yuan/mt, down 100 yuan/mt WoW. In the futures market, the most-traded silicon metal contract remained weak, with the SI2605 contract closing at 8,300 yuan/mt on Thursday, down 435 yuan/mt WoW. Spot declines were narrower than futures prices, and the advantage in supplier shipments shifted from silicon enterprises to trading firms engaging in both spot and futures market. During the week, market prices were under pressure, while procurement volume from some downstream users and export traders increased, with transactions in some grades remaining moderate.