Tin prices rose on May 26. Smelters and traders adjusted their offers in line with the futures prices, but trading volumes were limited. Downstream users grew more cautious due to price swings, and end-user procurement remained tepid, leaving overall spot market activity subdued. Looking ahead, unresolved Middle East geopolitical tensions and hawkish Fed expectations are weighing on tin prices. Fundamentally, supply disruptions have increased, making it important to monitor Myanmar's restart progress and Indonesia's policy changes. Regarding demand, some downstream buyers make small, need-based purchases on price dips, while a strong wait-and-see sentiment prevails at higher prices. Near-term end-use consumption is sluggish, but long-term demand prospects for sectors such as AI are favorable. In the short term, tin prices are expected to fluctuate around current levels amid mixed bullish and bearish factors.
