Soybeans Hold Best Gain This Month as China Seeks More Supplies

Soybean futures held on to Tuesday’s gain, the biggest since the end of April, as state-run Chinese companies return to the market for American supplies after a jump in Brazil’s currency made U.S. beans more competitive. Soymeal futures in Dalian climbed to the highest in over a month. China has been bidding on new crop …

Iron Ore Drops on Supply Outlook, U.S.-China Tensions

Iron ore futures extended losses as investors focus on the outlook for supply, while deepening strains between China and the U.S. hang over global markets. “Iron ore shipments have increased significantly recently, while port inventories remain at a low level despite the slight rise in volume,” Huatai Futures said in a note. Although supply has …

U.S. Mulls Sanctions on Chinese Officials, Firms Over Hong Kong

The U.S. is considering a range of sanctions to punish China for its crackdown on Hong Kong, people familiar with the matter said, as the Trump administration weighs whether to declare the former colony has lost its autonomy from Beijing. The Treasury Department could impose controls on transactions and freeze assets of Chinese officials and …

Nickel Drops From Two-Month High After Sudden Slump in Shanghai

Nickel in London fell from a two-month high after futures in Shanghai slumped by the daily limit in a sudden move during overnight trading. Prices on the London Metal Exchange fell more than 4% on Friday, trimming their weekly gain. Nickel on the Shanghai Futures Exchange pared losses after tumbling as much as 8.6% in …

Crop Futures Drop on Fear U.S.-China Spat May Disrupt Trade Deal

Crop futures declined in Chicago on concerns that worsening U.S.-China relations could derail purchases of American farm products under the phase one trade deal. Soybeans fell for a second day and corn dropped for a third, while wheat snapped a three-day gain. Tensions have flared over China’s handling of the coronavirus and the country’s access …

Li’s Fiscal Boost Fails to Spark Metals

Premier Li Keqiang delivered his speech to the National People’s Congress against a risk-averse backdrop of Beijing’s tightening grip on Hong Kong and increasingly testy relations with Washington. Li reported that China has dropped its numerical growth target — a move perceived as negative for metals like steel — but plans to boost fiscal support …