Iron ore futures fall as China steel demand slows, virus cases rise

Iron ore futures fell sharply on Monday on concerns over China’s recovery. Data released on Monday showed China churned out a record of 92.27 million tonnes of steel. According to SteelHome data, iron ore port inventories fell to 107.75 million tonnes last week, the lowest since October 2016.   While the decline in port inventories …

Oil benchmarks fall on virus resurgence fears

Oil benchmarks fell about 8% last week, their first weekly declines since April, as U.S. Coronavirus cases started increasing.   Over the weekend, more than 25,000 new U.S. cases were reported on Saturday alone as more states reported record new infections and hospitalizations.   A cluster of infections in Beijing has increased concern of a …

Crude extends losses on ‘second wave’ fears

The crude market extended losses overnight as a surge in U.S. Coronavirus cases this week raised the prospect of a second wave of the COVID-19 outbreak hitting demand in the world’s biggest consumer of crude and fuel.   Traders are concerned about signs that Coronavirus cases in the U.S. are continuing to rise and topped …

Iron ore softer as pundits exchange views on supply outlook

Iron ore futures were a touch softer on Wednesday as investors assessed the supply outlook for iron ore following the recent closure of Vale’s Itabria complex.   Investors grew concerned over tight supply after Vale was ordered to shut down Itabria, which accounts for over 10% of Vale’s output, in the state of Minas Gerais …

China steel imports boom, exports dip, iron ore softer

Iron ore futures were a touch softer on Tuesday as investors assessed outlook for iron ore.   China imported 1.25 million mt of finished steel in May, up 27.2% month-on-month or up 30.3% year-on-year, according to customs data. During the same period, China’s finished steel exports fell by 30.4% month-on-month or 23.4% to 4.4 million …

#moreforless – the new shape of OPEC+ supply policy?

Saudi Arabia’s extra voluntary oil-production cut, which came on top of the OPEC+ supply curbs, will cease at the end of this month as demand recovers.   Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said the kingdom’s additional reductions, which amounted to about 1.2 million barrels a day including contributions from its closest allies in the …

Iron ore breaks $100 as Vale shuts in production capacity

Iron ore futures surged above $100 on Monday after part of Vale’s Brazilian operations were ordered to be shut down due to the Coronavirus.   Prosecutors had alleged that workers were at risk at the mine complex of Itabira in the state of Minas Gerais after 188 of them were tested positive. The latest development …

Iron ore blips back but rally ‘looks stretched’

Iron ore futures in Singapore recovered from yesterday’s blip and is set to finish the week on a high.   The iron ore market has seen great volatility of late, pushing towards $100 on supply concerns following disruptions in Brazil as well as strong demand from China.   Global steel demand is expected to fall …

Iron ore futures fall as players take profits

Iron ore futures slumped on Thursday following some profit-taking activities as market participants turned cautious.   The iron ore market has seen great volatility, pushing towards $100 on supply concerns following disruptions in Brazil as well as strong demand from China.   The Dalian Exchange issued a notice earlier this week, urging member brokerages to …

OPEC+ squabbles as family tensions mount

Saudi Arabia and Russia, two of the world’s biggest oil producers, have agreed to support extending into July the 9.7 million barrels per day (bpd) in supply cuts backed in April by the OPEC+ group.   But they failed to agree to holding the meeting to discuss it with the wider group. The alliance that’s …