Upstream Holds Back from Selling While Downstream Waits; Magnesium Ingot Slowly Declines Amidst Bargaining [SMM Magnesium Weekly Review]
[SMM Magnesium Weekly Review: Upstream Holds Back from Selling, Downstream Waits, Magnesium Ingot Slowly Declines Amid Game] Magnesium prices were in the doldrums this week. As of press time, mainstream quotations for 99.90% magnesium ingot in the main producing areas stood at 15,800-15,900 yuan/mt, down 100 yuan/mt WoW. Magnesium series products showed a divergent pattern this week. Dolomite prices were stable; the core mine in Wutai remained halted, pushing smelters to source from elsewhere, with ample supply from multiple channels and firm prices. Magnesium ingot saw a stepped decline, with fierce competition between upstream holding back from selling and downstream waiting. Inventory buildup pressure combined with maintenance and production resumptions led to ample spot cargo, and smelters lowered prices to facilitate transactions, but cost support limited the decline. The foreign trade market was in the doldrums, with a likely phased recovery at month-end as delivery demand is released. Magnesium powder transaction center shifted slightly lower, with both domestic demand and exports weak, moving in line with magnesium ingot. Magnesium alloy consolidated on a strong note along with magnesium ingot, but processing fees remained under pressure amid weak supply and demand. Overall, the magnesium series market is still expected to consolidate on a weak note in the short term, with cost support and weak demand forming the core game.