Data: SHFE, DCE market movement (May 18)

[SMM Steel] Tata Steel reported consolidated net profit of INR29.26 billion ($304.9 million) in Q4 FY2025/26, more than double year on year but below analysts’ forecast of INR30.8 billion. Earnings were pressured by a 16.7% rise in material costs, 8% growth in total expenses to INR585.02 billion, and one-time restructuring costs at its Dutch unit. In India, Q4 crude steel production rose over 14% YoY to 6.22 million tonnes, while domestic shipments increased 10.5% YoY to 6.19 million tonnes. The company also continued expansion projects, including a 0.75-million-tonne EAF in Ludhiana and a 2.2-million-tonne CRM complex in Kalinganagar.

[SMM Steel] The global flat steel market in 2026 is being reshaped by chronic overcapacity, rising regional protectionism, CBAM-related pressure, and weaker traditional steel margins, according to discussions at Steel 2026 in Izmir. Market participants said weak demand in major economies and continued Chinese exports are putting downward pressure on international flat steel prices. Turkish and European producers are under growing pressure from low-cost Asian imports, tighter EU carbon rules, and shrinking margins. CBAM and quota policies are also changing export costs and trade flows, while service centers are expected to play a larger role in processing, financing, inventory management, and short-term delivery.

Freight. From January to April, national railways cumulatively completed freight volume of 1.727 billion mt, up 2.8% YoY; freight turnover reached 1,227.427 billion mt-km, up 5.4% YoY. In April, freight volume reached 446 million mt, up 4.3% YoY; freight turnover reached 320.623 billion mt-km, up 6.3% YoY. By commodity category, from January to April, national railways cumulatively transported coal (920 million mt), containers (349 million mt), and fertilizers & pesticides (21.15 million mt), up 3.4%, 9.1%, and 14.6% YoY respectively, with key commodity transportation effectively guaranteed. Fixed asset investment. From January to April, national railway fixed asset investment totaled 200.8 billion yuan, up 3.2% YoY, with railway construction advancing with high quality and efficiency.