August 15 - SMM 8-12% high-grade NPI average price was 1,010 yuan/mtu (ex-factory, tax included), down 3.5 yuan/mtu from the previous working day. Supply side, domestically, overall production in August remained stable, with some smelters entering maintenance periods. East China smelters saw a slight increase in production, with a small expected increase in output. In Indonesia, the progress of RKAB approvals remained slow, and the demand for imported Philippine nickel ore persisted. The tight supply of raw materials for smelters continued, and with new production capacity coming online, a slight increase in output is expected in August. Demand side, downstream consumption of stainless steel was weak, and high social inventory levels made it difficult to reduce stock. Stainless steel spot prices continued to decline, and with high costs, steel mills faced marginal losses. This negative transmission led to a decline in NPI procurement prices. In the short term, NPI prices are expected to decline further, but the space for decline is limited.
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