Global Inputs and Inventory Update
LME nickel and NPI prices soften further while social inventories stabilize, giving Chinese stainless mills margin breathing room despite subdued peak-season restocking.
Trade Intelligence Notice: Indicative trade intelligence for industrial planning. Every figure carries its actual verified source and date. For firm contract pricing on specific coils, circles, or sheets, contact our desk.
China & Global Inputs
Front-month benchmark recorded a weekly rebound after five consecutive weeks of declines.
Market Read: Outlook & Risk Balance
Collapsing NPI input costs continue to relieve mill margins while broader end-user restocking remains subdued.
- NPI price stabilization in Indonesia and China
- Execution and durability of mill production cuts
Potential trade remedy developments and energy supply shocks impacting smelting economics.
Policy Watch
Anti-Dumping Investigation on CR Stainless Steel
Active monitoringSettled product scope covers CR stainless 300 and 400 series from China, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
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Source Attribution: Westmetall LME nickel table (28 Sep 2026) - https://www.westmetall.com/en/markdaten.php?action=table&field=LME_Ni_cash; SMM stainless weekly analysis (18 Sep 2026) and nickel flash updates (29 Sep 2026) - https://news.metal.com/newscontent/104123103-smm-analysis-chinas-stainless-futures-find-a-floor-as-collapsing-nickel-costs-hand-mills-their-margins-back
Published by Metal Dock B2B Trade Intelligence Desk · Wazirpur Industrial Area, Delhi
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Previous Daily Briefs
Nickel eases as Indian trade probe extends
LME nickel slips to USD 16,230/mt while India extends anti-dumping investigations on stainless CRC imports.
Nickel retreats as mill cost pressure eases
LME nickel slipped to USD 16,230/mt while NPI and ferrochrome costs continued to soften, granting Chinese mills some margin relief despite subdued peak-season demand.
Nickel and NPI ease as trade probe extends
LME nickel and high-grade NPI ease while mill margins recover; India extends its anti-dumping probe on cold-rolled flat products to March 2027.
Nickel higher as stainless margins recover
LME 3-month nickel advanced to 16,600 USD/mt following two sessions of Chinese futures support, while falling NPI input costs restored steel mill margins.
LME nickel rises as NPI costs ease
LME nickel 3-month prices advanced while high-grade NPI spot prices continued their downward adjustment, easing margin pressure for stainless steel mills.
Nickel bounces as input costs find floor
LME nickel and SHFE stainless edge higher as supply cuts and cost compression restore mill margins, though peak-season restocking remains subdued.
Nickel costs slide as stainless finds floor
SHFE stainless futures steadied near a V-shaped floor as sharp declines in high-grade NPI and LME nickel restored mill margins despite sluggish peak-season end-user demand.
Nickel inputs soften; India scrap follows lower
Nickel and NPI inputs ended the week lower while China stainless futures steadied and 300-series social inventory declined. Indian stainless scrap prices also fell week-on-week as buyers shifted toward alternatives.
Nickel and NPI soften as India scrap turns lower
LME nickel and high-grade NPI moved lower on 18 September while China stainless futures posted their first weekly gain in six weeks. Indian stainless scrap prices fell week-on-week as buyers shifted to alternatives, while chrome inputs were comparatively steady.
Nickel rebounds, but 300-series inputs stay soft
LME nickel rebounded on 17 September, but Indonesian NPI and nickel ore softened while chrome inputs barely moved. India stainless prices stayed firm as tight scrap offset cautious demand.
India stays firm while China stainless weakens
China stainless futures and NPI softened while an Indian mill’s 316L revision kept domestic pricing firm, widening the domestic-global divergence.
Nickel weakens while Indian coil prices rise
Nickel softened while NPI fell sharply, chrome eased only marginally, Indian mills raised selected stainless coil prices, and DGTR's revised oral hearing falls today.