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Iron ore dragged down further by weak steel demand in China

Iron ore futures costs extended their decline for a 4th straight session on Tuesday, weakened by the seasonallyweak steel demand in top consumer China, although enhanced steel margins and company intake for the crucial steelmaking ingredient curbed loss.

The most-traded September iron ore contract on China's. Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) traded 0.69% lower at. 795.5 yuan ($ 109.53) a metric ton, since 0252 GMT.

The benchmark July iron ore on the Singapore. Exchange was 0.19% lower at $102.4 a ton.

Iron ore prices have been under downward pressure as steel. demand remained weak and expectations of a steel output cut. stuck around, analysts at SOOCHOW Futures said in a note.

Analysts at Maike Futures cited high portside stocks as. another headwind for iron ore.

In spite of the persistent price fall, some traders are still. holding self-confidence in the market in the middle of the staying high hot. metal output as that implies at least in the short-term, ore. need will be firm, stated a North China-based trader,. requesting privacy as he is not authorised to speak to the. media.

Data from consultancy Shanghai Metals Market revealed that hot. metal output will likely see another rise this week.

Also, enhancing belief to some extend is news that China's. state coordinator said on Monday that it was prompting local. governments to alleviate automobile purchase limitations.

Other steelmaking components on the DCE fell, with coking. coal and coke down 0.81% and 0.32%,. respectively.

Steel standards on the Shanghai Futures Exchange ticked. down. Rebar pulled away 0.42%, hot-rolled coil. ticked 0.16% lower, wire rod shed 0.69% and stainless. steel dipped 0.11%.

Demand (for steel products) was not effectively as heavy. rains affected both transport and operations of. building and construction websites, said a south China-based steelmaker, adding. that steel items are more likely to get rusted in rainy. weather.

(source: Reuters)