[SMM Nickel Sulphate Daily Review] May 6: Strong Cost Support, Nickel Salt Prices Rose

Published: May 6, 2026 11:58
On May 6, the SMM battery-grade nickel sulphate average price rose.

On May 6, the SMM battery-grade nickel sulphate average price rose.

Cost side, post-holiday NPI production cut news continued to ferment, nickel prices surged significantly, and the spot production cost of nickel sulphate increased; supply side, nickel prices, MHP payables, and auxiliary material prices such as sulphuric acid continued to rise, and nickel salt smelter offer prices were notably lifted due to rising costs; demand side, some downstream enterprises still had certain stocking demand after the holiday, and their acceptance of nickel salt prices increased. Today, the upstream nickel salt smelter Willingness to Sell Sentiment Factor was 2, the downstream precursor plant procurement sentiment factor was 2.9, and the integrated enterprise sentiment factor was 2.6 (historical data can be accessed by logging into the database).

Looking ahead, nickel prices and intermediate product coefficients both trended higher, and nickel sulphate prices are expected to hold up well in the short term.

[For more content, please subscribe to SMM Nickel Research Group products "China Nickel-Chrome Stainless Steel Industry Chain Regular Report" and "China Nickel-Chrome Stainless Steel Industry Chain High-End Report" to accessthe latest nickel ore, NPI (China + Indonesia), refined nickel, nickel sulphate, chrome ore,ferrochrome, and stainless steel (China + Indonesia) related data analysis and market interpretation!]


 

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM‘s internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or to learn more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn
For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn
Related News
Indonesian Nickel Policies Boost Prices, Steel Mills Show Positive Sentiment Before Holiday
Common.Time.minsAgo
Indonesian Nickel Policies Boost Prices, Steel Mills Show Positive Sentiment Before Holiday
Read More
Indonesian Nickel Policies Boost Prices, Steel Mills Show Positive Sentiment Before Holiday
Indonesian Nickel Policies Boost Prices, Steel Mills Show Positive Sentiment Before Holiday
[SMM Nickel Flash] On the upstream side, news about Indonesian nickel ore costs and windfall tax policies supported the willingness to hold prices firm, smelters generally held back from selling with a bullish outlook, and high-grade NPI quotes rose in tandem. On the downstream side, steel mills showed relatively positive purchasing sentiment before the holiday. Although most steel mills maintained a wait-and-see attitude after the holiday, the market overall still held up well.
Common.Time.minsAgo
SMM Nickel Flash: High-Grade NPI Sentiment Index Down to 3.05, Upstream Improves, Downstream Declines
Common.Time.minsAgo
SMM Nickel Flash: High-Grade NPI Sentiment Index Down to 3.05, Upstream Improves, Downstream Declines
Read More
SMM Nickel Flash: High-Grade NPI Sentiment Index Down to 3.05, Upstream Improves, Downstream Declines
SMM Nickel Flash: High-Grade NPI Sentiment Index Down to 3.05, Upstream Improves, Downstream Declines
[SMM Nickel Flash] On May 6, the SMM high-grade NPI market sentiment index was 3.05, down 0.04 MoM. The high-grade NPI upstream sentiment index was 3.6, up 0.02 MoM. The high-grade NPI downstream sentiment index was 2.5, down 0.1 MoM.
Common.Time.minsAgo
[SMM Stainless Steel Flash] Indonesia Stainless Export Prices Hike $30/mt
1 hour ago
[SMM Stainless Steel Flash] Indonesia Stainless Export Prices Hike $30/mt
Read More
[SMM Stainless Steel Flash] Indonesia Stainless Export Prices Hike $30/mt
[SMM Stainless Steel Flash] Indonesia Stainless Export Prices Hike $30/mt
On May 6, 2026, following a brief morning suspension, one of the Indonesia's stainless steel mill raised export quotations across all series by $30/mt. According to SMM analysis, the hike is driven by the convergence of positive holiday-period policies and the introduction of "windfall tax" expectations, which have funneled cost premiums directly to downstream products. Indonesian 304 CRC FOB offers are now positioned at approximately $2,227/mt. Bullish sentiment is expected to ripple across Asia as the solidified cost floor pressures other regional producers to follow suit.
1 hour ago
Register to Continue Reading
Gain access to the latest insights in metals and new energy
Already have an account?sign in here