Luoyang Molybdenum Enterprise Round A Molybdenum Concentrates Auction Price Rose 535 Yuan/mtu

Brazil’s vehicle production reached 206,700 units in April 2026, marking a 9.5% decline from the 228,400 units produced in March, though it remained 13.1% higher compared to April 2025. Cumulative production for the first four months of 2026 totaled 745,400 units, a 6.3% increase year-on-year. The monthly contraction was primarily attributed to a lower number of working days in April. Despite the short-term dip, the overall upward trend in the automotive sector continues to support steady domestic demand for flat steel products, although the monthly volatility suggests a temporary cooling in the procurement pace of automotive-grade sheets.

According to US Department of Commerce data, the United States imported 2.45 million net tons (nt) of steel in March 2026, a 5.3% increase from February. Finished steel imports surged by 15.4% month-on-month to 1.94 million nt, accounting for an estimated 22% of the domestic market share. Total imports for the first quarter of 2026 reached 7.07 million nt, up 2.7% compared to the same period in 2025. Significant increases were seen in imports of oil country tubular goods (+55%) and line pipe (+49%). The influx of finished products, particularly from South Korea and Brazil, increases competitive pressure on domestic US mills and may limit the upside for local spot prices despite seasonal demand recovery.

US steel exports totaled 611,043 net tons (nt) in March 2026, reflecting a 6% increase from February but a 2.1% decrease compared to March 2025. For the first quarter of 2026, total exports reached 1.76 million nt, down 3.8% year-on-year. Canada remained the largest destination with 294,625 nt (+5% from Feb), followed by Mexico with 222,086 nt (+1% from Feb). The monthly rebound suggests a modest recovery in cross-border manufacturing demand within North America, yet the overall quarterly decline highlights a softening in international appetite for US-produced steel amid high domestic price premiums compared to global benchmarks.