At its Oct. 13 H1 2026 results briefing Jiugang Hongxing said China’s steel industry faces demand contraction and rising costs, with steel prices remaining depressed and raw-material and fuel costs elevated, leaving industry profitability under pressure since September. The company said it will stabilize recently improving production and operating fundamentals, prioritize resource strategy and product-upgrade initiatives, and push cost cuts, efficiency gains, product-mix optimization and market

BMI raised its 2026 average copper forecast to $13,500/ton from $12,700/ton, citing tariff-related policy disruption and continued supply constraints. The firm expects prices to remain volatile and highly sensitive to tariff-policy developments, with any final US government decision likely to drive near-term moves, while structural supply tightness should limit downside. Over the long term BMI predicts a persistent supply gap and rising demand from electrification and clean-energy infrastructure will push copper to $17,000/ton by 2035.

IMF's World Economic Outlook projects Japan's economy to grow 0.7% in both 2026 and 2027.