Iron ore blips back on supply fears, stimulus hopes

Iron ore futures recovered from yesterday’s blip to trade above $95 as investors become increasingly concerned over the coronavirus crisis in Brazil. Brazil’s iron ore shipments had their slowest start to a year in the last five years. Brazilian miner Vale downgraded its production guidance early in the year, Morgan Financials Ltd noted that more …

DCE on a bull run over anticipation of stimulus packages

Chinese futures spiked up further, over tight supply concerns and expectation of more Chinese stimulus measures. The most-actively traded iron ore futures on the Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE), for September delivery, jumped by 2.05% day-on-day to RMB 722 per tonne on Thursday. On the contrary, the steel rebar contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange increased …

Robust Pacific drives Capesize rates higher

Capesize market continued the good run, thanks to the robust Pacific market with better freight rates. Reflecting the better physical market, the Capesize 5 time charter average increased by $489 to $3,951 on Wednesday. With Capesize market as the driving force, the Baltic Dry Index spiked again and gained over 5.30% on-day to 477 readings …

Wheat Highest in More Than a Week on Signs of Lower U.S. Yields

Wheat futures climbed for a third day to the strongest level in more than a week on signs of lower winter crop yields in parts of the U.S. and as Russia’s production may come in smaller than thought. Drought conditions are limiting yield potential in southwestern and west-central Kansas, Aaron Harries, vice president of research and operations …

What to Watch as China Unveils Stimulus in Policy Meeting

China’s top leaders should reveal on Friday how much they’re planning to spend on stimulus to support the post-virus economy, when they belatedly announce their economic policy blueprint for the rest of 2020. The centerpiece event will be the work report delivered by Premier Li Keqiang, which typically contains the economic growth and spending targets, …

Oil Heads for Sixth Daily Advance After U.S. Stockpile Draws

Oil was headed for its longest run of daily gains in 15 months after a drop in U.S. crude stockpiles added to signs that a market upended by coronavirus lockdowns and a producer price war is rebalancing. Futures in New York rose for a sixth day past $34 a barrel, the longest streak for the …