Rare Earth Prices Stay in the Doldrums, Market Trading Remains Sluggish [SMM Rare Earth Daily Review]

Published: Aug 18, 2026 13:59

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[SMM Rare Earth Daily Review: Rare Earth Prices in the Doldrums; Market Trading Remains Sluggish] Overall, inquiry activity in the rare earth market was lackluster, trading was sluggish, prices were in the doldrums, and actual transactions were stagnant. In the short term, due to persistently sluggish market trading, Pr-Nd product prices are expected to remain in a narrow sideways consolidation pattern.

SMM, August 18: Rare earth market prices were in the doldrums overall today. Specifically, in the oxide market, Pr-Nd oxide prices were lowered by 2,000 yuan/mt, dysprosium oxide prices held flat, terbium oxide prices held flat, gadolinium oxide prices were lowered by 2,500 yuan/mt, holmium oxide prices were raised by 1,500 yuan/mt, and erbium oxide prices held flat.

In the metal market, Pr-Nd alloy prices were raised by 2,500 yuan/mt, dysprosium-iron alloy prices held flat, terbium metal prices were lowered by 50,000 yuan/mt, gadolinium-iron alloy prices were lowered by 3,500 yuan/mt, holmium-iron alloy prices were raised by 4,000 yuan/mt, and lanthanum-cerium metal (alloy grade) prices held flat.

At present, rare earth market prices remained in the doldrums overall. In the Pr-Nd market, affected by recent fluctuations in Pr-Nd oxide futures prices, spot suppliers lowered their offers compared with midday yesterday, but their willingness to hold prices firm remained strong, so actual declines were limited, and market trading sentiment stayed sluggish. Pr-Nd alloy prices fell in tandem. With limited downstream inquiries and frequent fluctuations in raw material prices, metal enterprises showed little willingness to quote proactively; most quotes were made on an order-by-order basis and in real time. Overall market trading was in a stalemate.

In the medium-heavy rare earth market, dysprosium, terbium and other products remained stable overall with no significant price fluctuations. For holmium products, suppliers raised their offers slightly as low-priced supply tightened; for gadolinium products, suppliers lowered their offers due to sluggish market inquiries.

Overall, rare earth market inquiry activity was lackluster, trading sentiment was sluggish, prices were in the doldrums, and actual transactions were in a stalemate. In the short term, affected by persistently sluggish market trading, Pr-Nd product prices are likely to remain in a narrow sideways consolidation pattern.

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.

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