News

Exclusive analysis article with latest market updates, and in-time news feeds.

Strait of Hormuz disruptions and Iran tensions are driving up aluminum prices and premiums. Aluminium Bahrain and Qatalum have cut output, while feedstock is tight. Rerouting via Port of Sohar or Saudi ports raises costs and delays. Buyers are turning to China, India, Russia, Canada, and scrap to offset risk. Prolonged disruption could reduce Middle East market share and reprice it as higher-risk supply.

Mar 24, 2026 17:22

What Could Change if Middle East Aluminum Trade Reroutes—and Supply Becomes Substitutable

China’s Silver Ingot Imports Hit Multi-Year High in February 2026, Reshaping Supply-Demand Landscape

The latest customs data showed that in February 2026, China’s imports of unwrought silver ingots with a purity of no less than 99.99% reached 206.76 mt, up 499% MoM and surging 5,910% YoY to a multi-year high. The rare opening of the import window drove significant changes in the supply-demand pattern of the domestic silver ingot market.

Mar 25, 2026 17:51

Soaring Rare Earth Ore Imports in Jan-Feb 2026 & Falling Demand Exacerbate Oversupply [SMM Analysis]

[SMM Analysis:Rare Earth Ore Imports Surge in Early 2026, Exceeding Demand and Causing Surplus] According to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs, from January to February 2026, China’s imports of mixed rare earth carbonate were about 3,013.7 mt, up 321% YoY. Over the same period, imports of unlisted rare earth oxides were about 12,860.4 mt, also posting a sharp increase of 209% YoY.

Mar 24, 2026 10:24

[SMM Analysis] 2026 Sodium-Ion Battery Competitive Landscape: Na‑ion Pioneers vs Lithium Battery Giants

In 2026, the correction in lithium carbonate prices drove up lithium battery production costs. Coupled with uncertainties in lithium resources supply, cost pressure across the new energy industry became increasingly prominent. Leveraging the advantages of abundant sodium resources, balanced distribution, and controllable costs, sodium-ion batteries have leapt from being a “backup option” for lithium batteries to a key direction for industry breakthrough...

Mar 20, 2026 15:00

[SMM Analysis] Sulfur Market: Supply Contraction & New Energy Surge Keep 2026 Tight.

In 2025, the sulfur market experienced wild swings under the dual impact of multiple supply-side contractions and the rapid release of demand from the new energy sector, with prices rising by more than 200 over the year. Looking ahead to 2026, the tight supply-demand landscape is expected to persist.

Mar 24, 2026 16:24

After the Chinese New Year holiday, China’s aluminum market continued to see an inventory buildup, with social inventory rising लगातार and repeatedly hitting highs for recent years. However, as the traditional peak consumption season gradually got underway, downstream pickup enthusiasm rebounded, pressure from aluminum ingot backlogs eased significantly, and the pace of inventory buildup has already shown signs of slowing...

Mar 22, 2026 23:24

Silver has seen one of the sharpest pullbacks in recent years within just a few weeks. From the high of US$97.30 on March 2, the price fell to US$61.21 by March 23, losing around 37%. For the market, this was an abrupt break from the previous momentum.

Mar 26, 2026 15:47

All Copper Aluminum Lead Zinc Tin Nickel New Energy Photovoltaic Ferrous Metals Rare Earth Scrap Metals Minor Metals Precious Metals Car Others

【SMM Analysis】Weekly Review of Indonesian Nickel Market - Mar 27

Mar 27, 2026 23:55

[SMM Analysis] Nickel Ore Supply and Demand Watch: Philippine Ore Prices Face Downward Pressure, While Dual Tightening in Indonesian Policies and Approvals Pushes Up Local Ore Prices

Mar 27, 2026 23:46

SMM High-Grade NPI Market Sentiment Declines Slightly in March

Mar 27, 2026 18:11

Nickel Market: Stable Auxiliary Prices, Rising Coke and Indonesian Ore, Pressured NPI Amid Cost Uncertainties

[SMM Nickel Flash] This week, auxiliary material prices were generally stable with slight rise, while market sentiment in the coking coal and coke markets improved, and coke producers showed a stronger willingness to increase prices. Ore side, Philippine ore prices edged lower, while Indonesian nickel ore prices continued to rise. Meanwhile, downstream high-grade NPI prices remained under pressure, and amid cost uncertainties caused by high freight rates and geopolitical conflicts, smelter profit margins were squeezed.

Mar 27, 2026 18:09

China Nickel Market: Upstream Quotations Weaken Amid Rising Steel Scrap Supply Pressure

[SMM Nickel Flash] In China, disruptions in nickel ore-related news continued. Supported by costs, upstream quotations were firm for a time, but steel scrap supply in the market increased significantly. Under the dual pressure from end-users and the cost advantage of steel scrap, upstream quotations for high-grade NPI gradually showed signs of weakening.

Mar 27, 2026 18:07

SMM 10-12% High-Grade NPI Price Drops to 1,083.5 Yuan/Unit, Indonesia's NPI FOB Index Falls to $136.9/Unit

[SMM Nickel Flash] The average price of SMM 10-12% high-grade NPI fell WoW by 6.7 yuan/nickel unit to 1,083.5 yuan/nickel unit (ex-factory, tax included), while the average price of Indonesia's NPI FOB index fell WoW by $1.38/nickel unit to $136.9/nickel unit. The high-grade NPI market generally operated steadily overall. After the transaction center stabilized, the market remained in back-and-forth negotiations between upstream and downstream, and prices were under pressure in the short term.

Mar 27, 2026 18:06

[SMM Analysis] The Pattern of Weak Supply and Demand for Nickel Intermediate Products Continued, with the Coefficient Remaining Stable and Absolute Prices Rising Driven by Higher Nickel Prices

Continued Weak Supply-Demand Pattern for Nickel Intermediate Products, Stable Coefficient, Absolute Prices Rose Driven by Higher Nickel Prices

Mar 27, 2026 17:21

[SMM Analysis] Nickel Prices Fell First and Then Rebounded This Week, While China’s Inventory Edged Up

Mar 27, 2026 17:08

Data: SHFE, DCE market movement (Mar 27)

The following table shows the ferrous and nonferrous metals movement on the SHFE and DCE on 27 Mar , 2026

Mar 27, 2026 15:55

[NPI Daily Review] Ongoing Disruptions from Nickel Ore News Kept High-Grade NPI Prices Relatively Stable

[SMM Daily Review: Ongoing Disruptions From Nickel Ore News, High-Grade NPI Prices Remained Relatively Stable] March 27 News: SMM's upstream sentiment factor for high-grade NPI was 2.84, down 0.02 MoM, while the downstream sentiment factor for high-grade NPI was 1.56, flat MoM.

【SMM Analysis】Windfall or Export Levy? Inside Indonesia's Upcoming Commodities’ Tax

Mar 27, 2026 10:08

Data: SHFE, DCE market movement (Mar 26)

The following table shows the ferrous and nonferrous metals movement on the SHFE and DCE on 26 Mar , 2026

Mar 26, 2026 15:56

[SMM Nickel Midday Commentary] On March 26, influenced by expectations surrounding the policy of “Indonesia's proposed levy of a nickel export tax,” nickel prices rose significantly

Mar 26, 2026 13:17

【SMM Flash News】Indonesia's HPM Forecasted to Decrease 1.37% in Early April

SMM forecasts a marginal softening in the Indonesian domestic nickel ore benchmark (HPM) for the first half of April 2026, with prices expected to decline by 1.37%. This downward adjustment is primarily driven by a $236.56/dmt drop in the HMA, which is projected to settle at $17,093/dmt. Based on an MC35% calculation, the revised HPM targets across key grades are as follows: • Ni 1.2%: USD 17.33/wmt (↓ $0.24) • Ni 1.6%: USD 30.22/wmt (↓ $0.42) • Ni 1.7%: USD 34.00/wmt (↓ $0.47) • Ni 1.8%: USD 38.00/wmt (↓ $0.53) • Ni 2.0%: USD 46.66/wmt (↓ $0.65)

Mar 26, 2026 12:09

【SMM Nickel Flash News】Nickel Industries Suspends Hengjaya Mine Operations Following Fatality

According to Nickel Industries Announcement, Nickel Industries Limited has officially suspended all operations at its Hengjaya Mine in Indonesia following a fatal incident reported on March 25, with a formal investigation by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) set to commence on March 27.

Mar 26, 2026 11:40

[NPI Daily Review] Macro Policies Drove a Rebound in Futures, High-Grade NPI Quotes Edged Up

[SMM Daily Review: Macro Policies Drove a Rebound in Futures, with High-Grade NPI Quotes Edging Up] March 26 News: SMM's upstream sentiment factor for high-grade NPI was 2.86, up 0.03 MoM, while the downstream sentiment factor for high-grade NPI was 1.56, flat MoM.

Mar 26, 2026 11:32

[SMM Analysis] Transaction Sentiment Remained Weak, and Nickel Salt Prices were also Stable

Mar 26, 2026 11:08

What Could Change if Middle East Aluminum Trade Reroutes—and Supply Becomes Substitutable

Mar 24, 2026 17:22

China’s Silver Ingot Imports Hit Multi-Year High in February 2026, Reshaping Supply-Demand Landscape

Mar 25, 2026 17:51

Soaring Rare Earth Ore Imports in Jan-Feb 2026 & Falling Demand Exacerbate Oversupply [SMM Analysis]

Mar 24, 2026 10:24

[SMM Analysis] 2026 Sodium-Ion Battery Competitive Landscape: Na‑ion Pioneers vs Lithium Battery Giants

Mar 20, 2026 15:00

[SMM Analysis] Sulfur Market: Supply Contraction & New Energy Surge Keep 2026 Tight.

Mar 24, 2026 16:24

Aluminum Inventory Buildup in China Slows Down, Turning Point to Emerge in Late March [SMM Analysis]

Mar 22, 2026 23:24

Silver crash as an opportunity? What supports the second half of the year after the 37% drop

Mar 26, 2026 15:47

【SMM Analysis】Weekly Review of Indonesian Nickel Market - Mar 27

Mar 27, 2026 23:55

[SMM Analysis] Nickel Ore Supply and Demand Watch: Philippine Ore Prices Face Downward Pressure, While Dual Tightening in Indonesian Policies and Approvals Pushes Up Local Ore Prices

Mar 27, 2026 23:46

SMM High-Grade NPI Market Sentiment Declines Slightly in March

Mar 27, 2026 18:11

Nickel Market: Stable Auxiliary Prices, Rising Coke and Indonesian Ore, Pressured NPI Amid Cost Uncertainties

Mar 27, 2026 18:09

China Nickel Market: Upstream Quotations Weaken Amid Rising Steel Scrap Supply Pressure

Mar 27, 2026 18:07

SMM 10-12% High-Grade NPI Price Drops to 1,083.5 Yuan/Unit, Indonesia's NPI FOB Index Falls to $136.9/Unit

Mar 27, 2026 18:06

[SMM Analysis] The Pattern of Weak Supply and Demand for Nickel Intermediate Products Continued, with the Coefficient Remaining Stable and Absolute Prices Rising Driven by Higher Nickel Prices

Mar 27, 2026 17:21

[SMM Analysis] Nickel Prices Fell First and Then Rebounded This Week, While China’s Inventory Edged Up

Mar 27, 2026 17:08

Data: SHFE, DCE market movement (Mar 27)

Mar 27, 2026 15:55

[NPI Daily Review] Ongoing Disruptions from Nickel Ore News Kept High-Grade NPI Prices Relatively Stable

Mar 27, 2026 15:47

US and Iran Hold Indirect Talks, Plan to Meet in Pakistan Soon

Mar 27, 2026 15:18

[SMM Nickel Midday Commentary] On March 27, nickel prices dropped slightly, and China and the United States maintained communication regarding President Trump's visit to China.

Mar 27, 2026 11:35

[SMM Daily Review of Nickel Intermediate Products] March 27: Nickel Prices for MHP and High-Grade Nickel Matte Rose

Mar 27, 2026 10:54

【SMM Analysis】Windfall or Export Levy? Inside Indonesia's Upcoming Commodities’ Tax

Mar 27, 2026 10:08

Data: SHFE, DCE market movement (Mar 26)

Mar 26, 2026 15:56

[SMM Nickel Midday Commentary] On March 26, influenced by expectations surrounding the policy of “Indonesia's proposed levy of a nickel export tax,” nickel prices rose significantly

Mar 26, 2026 13:17

【SMM Flash News】Indonesia's HPM Forecasted to Decrease 1.37% in Early April

Mar 26, 2026 12:09

【SMM Nickel Flash News】Nickel Industries Suspends Hengjaya Mine Operations Following Fatality

Mar 26, 2026 11:40

[NPI Daily Review] Macro Policies Drove a Rebound in Futures, High-Grade NPI Quotes Edged Up

Mar 26, 2026 11:32

[SMM Analysis] Transaction Sentiment Remained Weak, and Nickel Salt Prices were also Stable

Mar 26, 2026 11:08

News

Latest News