1. [Electricity Consumption] National Energy Administration: In April, total electricity consumption across society reached 820.5 billion kWh, a year-on-year increase of 6.0%. Breaking this down by sector: electricity consumption in the primary industry stood at 11.2 billion kWh, up 2.0% year-on-year; in the secondary industry, it reached 558.4 billion kWh, up 5.3%; and in the tertiary industry, it totaled 151.7 billion kWh, up 8.9%. Electricity consumption by urban and rural residents amounted to 99.2 billion kWh, an increase of 6.0% year-on-year. For the period from January to April, cumulative electricity consumption across society reached 3,334.5 billion kWh, a year-on-year increase of 5.4%.

2. [US Employment Figures] ADP data indicates that for the four-week period ending May 2, US private-sector employment increased by an average of 42,250 jobs per week—an uptick from the previous figure of 33,000.

3. [Fed Interest Rates] Barclays' latest analysis suggests that the Federal Reserve's baseline scenario remains a rate cut in March 2027; however, this scenario is contingent upon extremely stringent conditions and carries a probability of only 35%. The three pathways that could trigger an interest rate hike are also clearly defined: long-term inflation expectations becoming unanchored; core inflation remaining persistently elevated even after the impact of tariffs subsides; and demand outpacing supply—particularly if the AI investment cycle and wealth effects materialize ahead of corresponding productivity gains.

Chemicals

1. [Carbon Dioxide] According to China Huaneng, the country's first geothermal energy project utilizing supercritical carbon dioxide for heat extraction has officially commenced operations in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, marking a new breakthrough in the efficient development and utilization of geothermal energy in my country.

2. [Lithium Batteries] Recently, a comprehensive utilization project for waste lithium batteries—with an annual processing capacity of 40,000 tons—was established in Hubei Province by Ruikemei.

3. [Lithium Carbonate] Recently, Australian mining company Mineral Resources (MinRes) announced that, due to a significant and sustained recovery in lithium prices, its wholly owned Bald Hill lithium mine will resume operations. On-site activities are scheduled to ramp up gradually starting in late May, with crushing and mining operations set to commence in June, and the production of the first batch of spodumene concentrate expected to begin in July. The initial shipment of spodumene concentrate is projected to depart from the Port of Esperance in the first quarter of the 2027 fiscal year, with full production capacity expected to be reached in the second quarter.

4. [Adipic Acid] On May 19, Henan Shenma’s 60,000-ton/year adipic acid facility was shut down for maintenance; its 150,000-ton/year facility is also scheduled for maintenance, with an indefinite restart date.

5. [Diethylene Glycol] From May 15 to May 17, the total volume of diethylene glycol shipments from the two storage zones in Zhangjiagang amounted to 1,846 tons, with an average daily shipment volume of 616 tons. As of now, the combined inventory at the two storage zones stands at 16,200 tons.

6. [Acrylic Acid] On May 20, the market price for Satellite Chemical’s acrylic acid in East China was 8,300 RMB/ton, representing a decrease of 200 RMB/ton compared to the price quoted on the previous trading day.

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