Iron ore price slumps to three-week low on weak China demand, strong global supply
Property investment in China fell 10.1% in the first half of 2024 from a year earlier.
The iron ore price rose on Thursday after China’s central bank said it would take monetary policy steps to help businesses hit by the covid-19 outbreak and support a recovery in consumption.
Returning from a five-day Labour Day break, traders were also upbeat about replenishment demand remaining strong for the steelmaking ingredient in the world’ top steel producer.
Benchmark 62% Fe fines imported into Northern China rose 0.79%, to $150.75 per tonne.
The most-traded September iron ore contract on China’s Dalian Commodity Exchange ended daytime trading 1.9% higher at 871.50 yuan ($131.74) a tonne. It touched 881.50 yuan earlier in the session, the highest since April 25.
The People’s Bank of China on Wednesday vowed to “waste no time planning incremental policy tools to support steady economic growth, stabilise employment and prices … to provide a fair monetary and financial environment.”
The remarks, lacking in details, came after a top decision-making body of the ruling Communist Party last week pledged to support the economy.
“While it may be left to relevant government bodies to thrash out the finer details, markets will grow impatient waiting for robust policies which will have a material impact on iron ore and steel demand,” said Atilla Widnell, managing director at Navigate Commodities.
Rolling out additional stimulus measures has become more urgent amid China’s tough covid-19 restrictions, analysts have said.
Beijing shut scores of metro stations and bus routes and extended curbs on many public venues on Wednesday, while Shanghai remained under strict lockdown.
(With files from Reuters)
