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Dalian iron ore inches lower on worldwide steel outlook, weak China data

Dalian iron ore futures gave up early gains on Tuesday to close slightly lower, as prospects of softer global demand for steel and weaker Chinese economic data surpassed hopes of further stimulus from the world's top customer of metals.

The most-traded January iron ore agreement on China's Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) ended daytime 0.38% lower at 791.5 yuan ($ 111.26) a metric load.

The benchmark November iron ore on the Singapore Exchange was 1.43% lower at $106.05 a load.

International steel demand is anticipated to decrease in 2024 for the third year running as production and financial growth stay weak, the World Steel Association said on Monday as it reduced its outlook.

Chinese steel need is expected to fall by 3% this year and a more 1% in 2025, the group said.

Current economic information out of China, consisting of the September trade and brand-new loaning figures, has actually missed out on expectations, raising issues that the economy might not reach the 5% development target this year and will struggle to fend off deflationary pressures.

On the other hand, steel exports in September struck their highest since 2016, reaching 10.2 million loads, with year-to-date exports up 21% year-on-year, ANZ experts said, mentioning custom-mades information launched on Monday.

Resilient external need raised exports of steel, however any weak point in external markets will be a headwind, ANZ experts said in a note.

The trade information reveals export need may be softening, while sluggish domestic demand continues to drag imports, ING experts stated, including that they continue to anticipate a solid financial stimulus push from Beijing.

Other steelmaking ingredients on the DCE lost ground, with coking coal and coke down 1.28% and 0.62%,. respectively.

Steel criteria on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were. weaker. Stainless-steel lost about 1.2%, rebar. and hot-rolled coil shed around 0.7% each,. and wire rod ticked 0.4% lower.

(source: Reuters)