April 23 update:
Rare earth ore:
Today, the price range of rare earth carbonate was 63,200-64,800 yuan/mt, monazite prices adjusted to 4.4-4.8 yuan/mt, and medium-yttrium, europium-rich ore prices were approximately 255,000-256,000 yuan/mt. Recently, market demand on the rare earth ore side remained weak, and actual transaction prices overall continued in the doldrums.
Rare earth oxides:
Lanthanum oxide prices remained generally stable this week, temporarily holding at 5,000-5,800 yuan/mt. Cerium oxide market prices saw a slight raise recently, adjusting to 14,000-14,800 yuan/mt within the week. The Pr-Nd oxide market fluctuated significantly recently. Influenced by expectations of tightening on the supply side, upstream suppliers raised their quotes one after another. However, as bearish news spread, market confidence was severely hit. As of today, Pr-Nd oxide prices adjusted to 780,000-800,000 yuan/mt within the week. Medium-heavy rare earth side, upstream dysprosium oxide suppliers maintained relatively firm quotes, but downstream metal plants' purchase willingness remained low. Dysprosium oxide quotes this week were slightly adjusted to 1.37-1.39 million yuan/mt. Terbium oxide suppliers also raised their quotes in line with the market this week, but procurement volume showed no improvement. Although quotes were raised to 6.1-6.15 million yuan/mt, actual transactions at high prices were very few. Gadolinium oxide market prices rose in tandem with the raise in Pr-Nd product prices, and some metal plants' order-taking prices also rose accordingly, with prices raised to 260,000-265,000 yuan/mt within the week. Holmium oxide market quotes also saw a slight raise, but market transaction conditions showed no obvious recovery yet, with prices slightly adjusted to the range of 550,000-555,000 yuan/mt. Erbium oxide suppliers maintained firm quotes, with low-priced sources hard to find, and prices this week were slightly adjusted to 400,000-405,000 yuan/mt. Yttrium oxide market prices overall remained stable, holding steady at 67,000-73,000 yuan/mt this week.
Rare earth metals:
This week, cerium metal prices saw a slight raise, adjusting to 35,000-35,500 yuan/mt. Pr-Nd alloy prices fluctuated significantly this week. At the beginning of the week, supported by Pr-Nd oxide costs, Pr-Nd alloy prices continued to climb. However, as bearish news spread, oxide prices saw a notable pullback, compounded by reduced downstream inquiry and procurement activities, and the market trading atmosphere was sluggish. As of now, Pr-Nd alloy prices adjusted to 950,000-970,000 yuan/mt within the week. Medium-heavy rare earth market side, dysprosium-iron alloy closed at 1.35-1.37 million yuan/mt, with prices slightly raised overall this week, mainly supported by raw material costs. However, downstream procurement center remained on the Pr-Nd market, and overall market inquiry activity showed no significant increase. Terbium metal prices were raised to 7.58-7.62 million yuan/mt. This week, supported by raw material costs, quoted prices saw a notable increase, but actual market transactions did not show significant improvement. Quoted prices for gadolinium-iron alloy edged up slightly, mainly driven by rising raw material prices. However, due to the prevailing wait-and-see sentiment in the market, actual price gains were limited, with gadolinium-iron prices adjusted to 250,000-255,000 yuan/mt during the week.
Rare Earth Permanent Magnets:
Currently, NdFeB blank N38 (Ce) closed at 252-262 yuan/kg; NdFeB blank 40M closed at 298-308 yuan/kg; NdFeB blank 40H closed at 302-312 yuan/kg; NdFeB blank 45SH (Ce) closed at 352-372 yuan/kg. In terms of prices, NdFeB prices edged up slightly this week, primarily because the sharp increases in Pr-Nd oxide and metal prices during the first half of the week drove NdFeB prices higher. Although prices pulled back in the second half of the week, the transmission of NdFeB quoted prices still required some time. In terms of trading, activity was moderate this week. On one hand, the wild swings in raw material prices this week suppressed procurement demand from motor manufacturers and end-users to some extent. On the other hand, substantial earlier stockpiling by end-users had already drawn forward this week's demand. Overall, NdFeB market trading activity was moderate this week.
Rare Earth Scrap:
Rare Earth Scrap: This week, Pr-Nd recycled from NdFeB scrap closed at 770-790 yuan/kg; dysprosium recycled from NdFeB scrap closed at 1,280-1,320 yuan/kg; terbium recycled from NdFeB scrap closed at 5,800-6,000 yuan/kg. This week, scrap market prices fluctuated significantly, mainly influenced by wild swings in oxide market prices and market news. At the beginning of the week, under expectations of tight oxide market supply, bullish sentiment was strong. Recycling enterprises raised their external purchase prices for scrap in line with oxide prices, while suppliers held back from selling in anticipation of further gains, and actual trading volume did not increase notably. However, as bearish news spread, oxide prices pulled back significantly, leading to a notable decline in scrap Pr-Nd prices. Due to the large price fluctuations, most recycling enterprises suspended their purchase quotations, and the market trading atmosphere was sluggish.
