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Iron ore prices rise for the sixth consecutive day, thanks to positive Chinese data

Iron ore futures rose for the?sixth session on Monday, thanks to a number of?upbeat data coming from China, the world's largest steel consumer. Lower steel exports are expected to help balance?steel?prices and steel -mill margins, while lower inventories and iron ore shipments year-on-year have helped support prices.

The September contract for iron ore on China's Dalian Commodity Exchange was 0.73% higher, at 822.5 Yuan ($121.04) per metric ton.

As of 0725 GMT, the benchmark June iron ore traded on Singapore Exchange was $111.4 per ton?an increase of 0.88%.

Customs data released on Saturday showed that China's exports of steel fell by 9% from the same period last year. Shipments that had prompted complaints from trading partners also recorded their lowest level since 2023.

China exported 9.5 million tons of steel in April, up by 4% compared to March but still down on the record pace set last year. Steel prices and steel mill margins are pushed up by lower steel exports.

Imports of iron ore in April were down 0.8% compared to the previous month, as steel margins shrank. This slowed the demand for this key ingredient. Last month, the world's biggest iron ore consumer imported 103.9 million tonnes. This is down from 104.74 millions tons in March and 103.14 in 2025.

According to data from consultancy Mysteel, in April the average daily hot-metal output, which is a measure of iron ore demand, increased by 4.6%.

Portside inventory Steelhome's data showed that iron ore inventories in major Chinese ports fell by 0.79% week-on-week, according to Friday's data. According to Steelhome's data on Friday, the iron ore stock at major Chinese port?decreased by 0.79% from week-to-week.

Coking coal and coke are now included in the DCE.

The Shanghai Futures Exchange steel benchmarks mostly rose. Rebar rose 0.34%; hot-rolled coils hardened 0.34%; and wire rod increased 1.56%. Stainless steel, meanwhile, fell by 0.56%.

(source: Reuters)