Preliminary data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) shows that new car registrations in the UK rose by about 12% year-on-year in July, reaching approximately 156,000 vehicles.

US June factory orders MoM -0.3% vs. +0.2% expected; May revised to -1.1% from -1.3%.

1. According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), a symposium on photovoltaic (PV) modules was held on July 30 to further interpret and promote the mandatory national standards for PV modules. 2. The union at BHP's Port Hedland operations in Western Australia has not yet reached a wage agreement with the company. 3. From July 27 to August 2, 2026, the total iron ore inventory at seven major ports in Australia and Brazil was 13.801 million tons, a decrease of 602,000 tons compared to the previous period. 4. In August, Hebei Iron & Steel Group (HBIS) tendered 2,740 tons of 75B ferrosilicon, compared to 3,380 tons in the previous round, a decrease of 640 tons. 5. According to Ferroalloy Online, Sichuan and Yunnan provinces are currently in their high-water season. Based on past production data, the number of industrial silicon furnaces operating in the main producing areas of Sichuan and Yunnan during the high-water season usually increases to around 150-180, but this year it is only around 70. 6. According to Mysteel, the price of coking coal in Changzhi remained stable on August 4th. Qinyuan County added 1.2 million tons of low-sulfur lean coal production capacity, but supply remained tight due to the shutdown of some coal mines. 7. The Argentine Grain Exporters and Processors Association (CIARA-CEC) stated on Tuesday that ships are currently unable to enter or leave Argentine grain ports due to a strike by marine workers. 8. According to SMM, on August 4th, Global Lithium announced that its Manna lithium mine project in Western Australia has received approval from the Western Australian Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration for its Mine Development and Closure Plan, with the first direct shipping (DSO) shipment scheduled for the second quarter of 2027.