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Iron ore drops even more as strong supply, China steel sell-off weigh

Iron ore futures rates lost further ground on Thursday, weighed by strong worldwide supply and top consumer China's persistently weak steel market, although tips of much heavier monetary stimulus helped limit losses.

The most-traded September iron ore contract on China's. Dalian Product Exchange (DCE) fell for a fifth. directly session to close daytime trade with a loss of 1.55% to. 764.5 yuan ($ 105.50) a metric ton.

The benchmark August iron ore on the Singapore. Exchange dipped listed below the crucial psychological level of $100 a load,. falling 1.14% to $99.75 a load, since 0710 GMT.

Regional steel trading associations in China are looking for brand-new. quality standards for steel rebar, used in construction, to be. postponed after a wave of panic stock sell-downs pressured the. ferrous market.

Steel benchmarks on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were. weaker. Rebar and stainless steel fell more. than 2%, hot-rolled coil shed over 1.7%, and wire rod. toppled nearly 4.5%.

Hopes of positive monetary markets trading China's. commercial metals complex have been met with squashing. disappointment after China's 3rd plenum failed to deliver on. stimulus expectations, stated Atilla Widnell, handling director at. Navigate Commodities.

More worryingly, a variety of depressing Chinese data last week. reveals an accelerating speed of contraction in floor area under. building, conclusions and home rates, significance. federal government policies to clear excess housing inventories are. seeing muted impact, Widnell added.

Australia's Fortescue forecast greater iron ore. deliveries for financial 2025 and published a 24% sequential rise to. record shipments in the 4th quarter.

However, iron ore costs clawed back some losses after. China's reserve bank surprised markets by carrying out an. unscheduled lending operation at steeply lower rates, suggesting. authorities are attempting to provide much heavier financial stimulus.

Other steelmaking active ingredients on the DCE - coking coal. and coke lost 1.24% and 1.95%, respectively.

(source: Reuters)