Iron ore futures showed strength today, with the main contract I2605 ultimately closing at 795.5 RMB per ton, up 1.34% from the previous trading session.

On March 12, Honda Motor released its latest flash report for the fiscal year 2025, projecting an operating loss of 270 billion yen to 570 billion yen for the fiscal year ending April 2025 to March 2026, equivalent to approximately 11.68 billion yuan to 24.67 billion yuan. It projects a net loss of 420 billion yen to 690 billion yen, equivalent to approximately 18.17 billion yuan to 29.86 billion yuan. It is understood that this marks Honda Motor's first annual loss since its listing. Furthermore, on the same day as announcing the results, Honda also announced a significant decision to cancel certain research, development, and launch plans for US-manufactured electric vehicles.

Iron ore futures fluctuated with a strengthening bias today, with the main contract I2605 ultimately closing at 787.5 yuan per ton, up 0.90% from the previous trading session.

On March 13, the average price of SMM battery-grade nickel sulphate rose slightly.

[SMM Titanium Spot Flash Report: Titanium Ore Prices Fell Under Pressure From High Inventory, While Sponge Titanium Saw a Strong Increase Supported by Supply and Demand] On March 11, SMM reported that titanium ore prices weakened slightly, with relatively high inventory weighing on the market; supported by restocking demand, enterprises raised sponge titanium quotes and showed a strong willingness to hold prices firm.

SMM News on March 11: According to SMM, the Northwest Lead and Zinc Smelter of Baiyin Nonferrous Group Co., Ltd. launched a public tender sale for about 100 mt of crude cadmium under its operation. According to the official announcement, the bidding floor price was set at a discount of 500 yuan/mt to the average SMM price, and the highest bidder after the auction won the lot. This project required at least three registrants for the auction to proceed normally. The registration deadline was 17:00 on March 16, 2026, and bidding was scheduled to begin at 10:00 on March 17, 2026. Market participants said that, as cadmium prices had shown an upward trend recently, this tender was also well worth close attention. To a certain extent, it could reflect the strength of market demand and provide some reference as to whether cadmium prices could continue to rise steadily.

SMM, March 11: According to official news from Baiyin Nonferrous Group Co., Ltd., Baiyin Nonferrous Group Co., Ltd. plans to sell 33 mt of crude selenium, with pricing based on bidding for premiums through auction. The floor premium is 10,500 yuan/mt. This project requires registration by three parties before the auction can proceed normally. The registration deadline is 17:00 on March 16, 2026. Bidding will begin at 15:00 on March 17, 2026. As recent market transaction results for crude selenium tenders have been relatively strong, with high transaction prices, market participants expect the premium auction results this time to be worth looking forward to.

Futures: Overnight, LME lead opened at $1,937.5/mt. During the Asian session, it moved sideways around the intraday moving average. After entering the European session, it rose to a high of $1,945.5/mt, then fluctuated rangebound at high levels before pulling back to a low of $1,932/mt. Before the close, it edged up slightly to recover part of the losses, and finally closed at $1,935.5/mt, down $3/mt, or 0.15%. Overnight, the most-traded SHFE lead contract opened at 16,605 yuan/mt. After dipping to 16,550 yuan/mt in early trading, it rebounded and consolidated near the intraday moving average, finally closing at 16,595 yuan/mt, down 35 yuan/mt from the previous day, or 0.21%. On the macro front: The fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress closed in Beijing. The meeting voted to adopt the resolution on the government work report and reviewed and approved the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan, charting the course for economic and social development over the next five years. Data released by the US Department of Labor on Thursday showed that although the February nonfarm payrolls report released last week came in weaker than expected, the mild pullback in initial jobless claims indicated that the scale of corporate layoffs remained limited, with employers still more inclined to retain workers. This eased market concerns about a sharp deterioration in the labour market. After the data release, major US stock indexes maintained their declines, while energy stocks were among the few sectors that rose due to a sharp increase in oil prices. Spot Fundamentals: In the Shanghai market, Chihong lead was quoted at discounts of 50-0 yuan/mt against the SHFE lead 2604 contract. The center of SHFE lead moved further lower, and suppliers shipped in line with market conditions. In addition, with delivery approaching, some suppliers became less willing to sell, and quotations appeared somewhat firmer, with significantly fewer transactions at large discounts. Among them, ex-factory quotations in major primary lead producing areas were at discounts of 25 yuan/mt to premiums of 25 yuan/mt against the SMM #1 lead average price. Meanwhile, circulation of spot cargo in the secondary lead market was limited, and secondary refined lead was quoted ex-factory around parity against the SMM #1 lead average price. Downstream enterprises mainly purchased under long-term contracts, with limited spot order replenishment, while some purchased as needed. Trading in the spot market was subdued on both sides. Inventory: As of March 12, LME lead inventory fell by 375 mt to 284,500 mt; as of March 12, SMM social inventory of lead ingots across five regions continued its accumulation trend. Lead Price Forecast for Today: Approaching the weekend, operating rates at primary lead smelters in Hunan gradually resumed, though they had not yet returned to full production, and primary lead quotations in Hunan and Guangdong remained relatively firm. As the delivery date of the SHFE lead 2603 contract approached, suppliers were shifting inventory to delivery warehouses one after another, and social inventory of lead ingots continued to become more visible. With more imported lead arriving at ports and China refined lead supply gradually recovering, spot cargo in the spot market was relatively ample. Downstream enterprises had more procurement options, actively negotiated prices, and bought the dip. In the short term, the accumulation trend in social inventory of lead ingots is expected to be difficult to reverse, and lead prices are expected to remain in the doldrums.

The trend of iron ore futures today first declined and then rebounded, with the market remaining stable in the afternoon. The main contract, I2605, eventually closed at 784 RMB/ton, up 0.26% from the previous trading session.

According to a Monday report by the Financial Times, Mongolia was seeking to renegotiate the "unfair" commercial terms of the $18 billion Oyu Tolgoi copper mine owned by mining giant Rio Tinto.The report said Mongolian Prime Minister Gombojavyn Zandanshatar stated at a meeting that the current agreement between the two sides was "unfair."The report said Mongolian government officials would meet with Rio Tinto executives this week to discuss the terms of the deal.