[SMM Stainless Steel Daily Review: Stainless Steel Mill's Price Increase Boosts Market Confidence, Spot Quotations Strengthen with Increased Inquiries] SMM reported on August 4 that the overall SS futures market showed a strengthening and upward trend. Despite the weak and stable performance of the SS futures market from the night session on Friday to the opening of the morning session, it subsequently surged rapidly, reaching 12,900 yuan/mt again. In the spot market, most maintained stable pricing for shipments in the morning, followed by a large stainless steel mill in south China raising the guidance price for 304 stainless steel by 100 yuan/mt. Influenced by this, market sentiment strengthened significantly, with an increase in the number of inquiries and a subsequent rise in spot quotations. However, wait-and-see sentiment still persisted in the market, and actual transactions did not become significantly more active. In the futures market, the most-traded contract 2509 strengthened and rose. At 10:30 a.m., SS2509 was quoted at 12,850 yuan/mt, down 5 yuan/mt from the previous trading day. The spot premiums and discounts for 304/2B stainless steel in the Wuxi area ranged from 220 to 420 yuan/mt. In terms of spot, the cold-rolled 201/2B coils in Wuxi and Foshan were both quoted at 7,950 yuan/mt; the cold-rolled mill-edge 304/2B coils had an average price of 13,000 yuan/mt in Wuxi and 13,000 yuan/mt in Foshan; the cold-rolled 316L/2B coils were priced at 24,525 yuan/mt in Wuxi and 24,525 yuan/mt in Foshan; the hot-rolled 316L/NO.1 coils were both quoted at 24,100 yuan/mt in the two regions; the cold-rolled 430/2B coils in Wuxi and Foshan were both priced at 7,150 yuan/mt. Recently, the stimulus effect of macro policy news has weakened somewhat, and the SS futures market has repeatedly attempted to break through the 13,000 yuan/mt mark...

After opening, DCE iron ore futures first fell and then rose. The most-traded contract I2509 eventually closed at 790.5, with a daily increase of 0.76%. Traders were enthusiastic about selling, while steel mills adopted a wait-and-see attitude, with weak purchase willingness.

[Domestic iron ore market brief: Iron ore concentrates prices in Shandong may continue to fluctuate] In Shandong, the reported price for 64% grade alkaline iron ore concentrates (dry basis, tax-exclusive, acceptance payment) from mines and beneficiation plants is RMB 824, down by RMB 24. Steel mills have also lowered their prices accordingly. Currently, most mines in the region are operating normally. Mines and beneficiation plants that underwent maintenance earlier have gradually resumed production in the past two days, resulting in a relatively stable supply. Steel mills in Hebei have slowed down their purchases from local sources.