China's CPI Rises 1.3% YoY in February 2026, Urban Areas See 1.4% Increase

[SMM Aluminum Alloy Daily Review] The center of today’s ADC12 market quotations shifted up noticeably, with most producers’ price adjustments concentrated in the 500–600 yuan/mt range. Supported by cost push and market expectations, enterprises showed a relatively clear willingness to raise prices. However, downstream demand remained relatively steady, and most enterprises reported that overall orders and inquiry activity were average, with downstream purchasing still mainly focused on restocking as needed.

[SMM Aluminum Flash] Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that in February 2026, nationwide industrial producer ex-factory prices fell 0.9% YoY, with the decline narrowing by 0.5 percentage points from the previous month; they rose 0.4% MoM, with the increase unchanged from the previous month. Industrial producer purchase prices fell 0.7% YoY, with the decline narrowing by 0.7 percentage points from the previous month; they rose 0.7% MoM, with the increase widening by 0.2 percentage points from the previous month. On average in January–February, industrial producer ex-factory prices fell 1.2% from the same period a year earlier, and industrial producer purchase prices fell 1.1%.