Shanghai Tin Market Sees Weak Buying Appetite, SMM Reports

Samsung Electronics' largest union in South Korea warned that chip production could be disrupted if members approve the plan in a strike vote in May. As the world's largest memory chip maker, a strike at Samsung could exacerbate global semiconductor supply bottlenecks. Choi Seung-ho, chairman of the Samsung Electronics Labor Union (SELU), said at the launch of the vote last week: "I expect there will be production disruptions." The vote will continue through Wednesday. Choi Seung-ho said that if labor and management fail to reach an agreement, the union is expected to hold an 18-day strike starting May 21, which could affect about half of the production at the massive semiconductor complex in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul. The Samsung union is demanding a 7% raise in base pay, the removal of the performance-based compensation cap, currently set at 50% of annual base salary, and the introduction of a bonus pool based on operating profit.

SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won of South Korea said on Monday that the global shortage of semiconductor wafers could last until 2030, as artificial intelligence-driven demand continues to outpace supply. Chey Tae-won said that SK Hynix is reviewing the possibility of a US ADR listing to broaden its global investor base, while its chief executive officer may announce plans to stabilize DRAM chip prices, and the group is also exploring alternative energy sources.

[SMM Tin Morning Briefing: The Most-Traded SHFE Tin Contract Opened Slightly Higher in the Night Session and Hovered at Highs, While Downstream Enterprises Showed Relatively Strong Purchase Willingness]