Real-time News

1. Data from the China Iron and Steel Association shows that in late July, social inventory of five major steel products in 21 cities reached 9.8 million tons, an increase of 180,000 tons, or 1.9%, month-on-month, representing a slight increase; an increase of 2.59 million tons, or 35.9%, compared to the beginning of the year; and an increase of 1.95 million tons, or 24.8%, compared to the same period last year. 2. The Guangzhou Futures Exchange issued a market risk warning announcement, mentioning that there are many uncertainties affecting market operations recently, and related product prices have fluctuated significantly. All market participants are requested to strengthen risk prevention, participate in the market rationally and compliantly, and maintain the stable operation of the market. The Exchange will continue to strengthen daily supervision, severely punish all kinds of violations, and maintain normal market order. 3. Federal Reserve Chairman Williams stated that he remains optimistic that inflationary pressures will gradually ease, but if this does not happen, the Fed will not hesitate to raise interest rates to ensure that price pressures return to the target level. 4. According to Mysteel, the national commercial inventory of soybean oil is 1.3789 million tons, a decrease of 37,500 tons month-on-month, a drop of 2.65%; and an increase of 73,700 tons year-on-year, an increase of 5.65%. As of July 31, 2026, the commercial inventory of palm oil in key regions of the country is 830,800 tons, a decrease of 8,300 tons month-on-month, a drop of 0.99%; and an increase of 248,600 tons year-on-year, an increase of 42.70%. 5. To meet market needs and improve market efficiency, the Shanghai International Energy Exchange will launch arbitrage orders starting August 24, 2026 (i.e., the continuous trading session on the evening of August 21, 2026). Initially, arbitrage orders will apply to crude oil futures. Further arrangements for expanding to other commodities and launching cross-commodity arbitrage combinations will be announced separately by the Shanghai International Energy Exchange. Arbitrage orders only support futures contracts, with a minimum order size of 1 lot and a maximum order size of 500 lots. 6. Starting August 24, 2026 (i.e., the continuous trading session on the evening of August 21, 2026), the Shanghai Futures Exchange will launch arbitrage orders. Initially, arbitrage orders will apply to copper, gold, rebar, and natural rubber futures contracts. 7. According to data released by shipping survey agency SGS, Malaysia's palm oil exports from July 1-31 are estimated at 1,088,024 tons, an increase of 11.85% compared to the 972,710 tons exported in the same period last month. 8. According to the China Iron and Steel Association, in the next stage, the steel export license management system will be strictly implemented, adhering to the guidance of "promoting high-end, stabilizing neighboring regions, and strict supervision," strengthening industry self-discipline, optimizing the export structure, cultivating neighboring and emerging markets, actively responding to trade frictions, proactively adapting to international rules, and promoting the transformation of exports towards high-end and green development to achieve stable and orderly development. 9. The National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration issued the "15th Five-Year Plan for the Construction of a New Power System," which proposes to promote the wide-load, high-efficiency transformation of existing coal-fired power units and control the increase in coal consumption under low-load operating conditions to within 25%. 10. According to SMM statistics, overseas electrolytic aluminum production in July 2026 declined by 6.7% year-on-year, mainly due to a decrease in the load of aluminum plants in the Middle East. Overseas daily average production rebounded by 1.6% month-on-month, mainly due to the resumption of production at aluminum plants in the Middle East and Iceland, as well as increased production from the ramp-up and commissioning of projects in Indonesia and Vietnam. Looking ahead to August 2026, the resumption of production in the Middle East is expected to continue; new projects that started production in Indonesia and Vietnam are expected to continue ramping up; and Balco's expanded capacity in India is expected to continue ramping up. 11. According to a Reuters survey, Malaysian crude palm oil production in July is expected to be 1.76 million tons, an increase of 7.4% compared to June. Ending stocks are expected to be 2.61 million tons, an increase of 2.6% compared to June. Exports are projected to reach 1.38 million tons, a 14.8% increase compared to June. 12. According to data from the Shanghai Shipping Exchange, as of August 3, 2026, the Shanghai Export Container Freight Index (Europe route) was 3519.81 points, a 5.4% decrease compared to the previous period. 13. According to Longzhong Information, as of August 3, 2026: This week, the total inventory of domestic soda ash manufacturers was 1.8226 million tons, an increase of 21,900 tons from last Thursday, a rise of 1.22%. Among them, light soda ash was 1.0465 million tons, a decrease of 9,000 tons week-on-week, and heavy soda ash was 776,100 tons, an increase of 30,900 tons week-on-week. 14. According to Mysteel, from July 27th to August 2nd, 2026, the total iron ore arrivals at 47 Chinese ports reached 32.011 million tons, an increase of 5.331 million tons compared to the previous period; the total arrivals at 45 Chinese ports reached 30.997 million tons, an increase of 7.06 million tons compared to the previous period; and the total arrivals at the six northern ports reached 15.575 million tons, an increase of 3.927 million tons compared to the previous period. 15. Data released by Indonesia's Statistics Bureau on Monday showed that in the first half of this year, Indonesia exported 11.28 million tons of crude and refined palm oil, an increase of 2.5% compared to the same period last year.

Kazakhstan plans to sell up to $300 million in foreign exchange from its oil fund in August.