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Iron ore slips as EU tariff hike concerns outweigh China's financial stimulus optimism

Iron ore futures moved on Wednesday, as concerns over steel need in leading customer China sparked by the European Union's decision to hike tariff on Chinese electric lorries surpassed prospects of more fiscal stimulus from Beijing.

The most-traded January iron ore contract on China's Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) ended daytime trade 0.7%. lower at 777 yuan ($ 108.88) a metric load.

The benchmark December iron ore on the Singapore. Exchange slipped 1.3% to $102.6 a load, since 0351 GMT.

The EU has chosen to increase tariffs on Chinese-built EVs. to as much as 45.3% at the end of its highest-profile trade. examination, raising concerns over exports ahead, which could. weigh usage for steel items locally.

The resumed self-confidence on prospects of more fiscal stimulus. after a Reuters report pressed rates higher overnight and. earlier the session.

China is considering approving next week the issuance of. over 10 trillion yuan in extra debt in the next couple of years to. revive its fragile economy, Reuters reported after daytime. trading closed on Tuesday.

Other steelmaking ingredients on the DCE lost ground, with. coking coal and coke down 1.72% and 0.58%,. respectively.

Steel standards on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were. mainly lower. Rebar shed 0.47%, hot-rolled coil. lost 0.67%, stainless steel fell 0.88% while

wire rod gained 0.7%.

We expect steel output increase will decrease amid. narrowing margins and ecological cautions in some northern. areas, analysts at Galaxy Futures said in a note.

But steel fundamentals continued to deteriorate as need. moved with weather condition getting colder, which will press costs.

Failing steel costs dragged by feeble demand had squeezed. margins amongst steelmakers with China's most significant listed. steelmaker, Baoshan Iron & & Steel, reporting on. Tuesday a nearly 65% plunge in its third-quarter net profit.

(source: Reuters)