China’s Headstart to Recovery Creates Rare Aluminum Trade

China’s race to restore normality has opened up a rare opportunity to profit from shipping aluminum into the country, which is typically burdened by excess supply of the metal. The theoretical margin from importing aluminum into China jumped to the highest level since 2016, according to Bloomberg calculations based on local spot prices and the …

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 …

Iron ore futures fall as higher shipments ease supply fears

Iron ore futures were softer on Tuesday as data showing higher shipments from Australia and Brazil eased off supply concerns.   According to data by Mysteel, shipments from Australia and Brazil were up by 4.08 million tonnes from a week earlier to 26.03 million tonnes. Furthermore, port overhauls in Australia and Brazil was completed on …

Capesize bull run takes a breather

Capesize market slowed after the recent rally in shipping rates, as trade sources seek for clearer market direction ahead. As such, the Capesize 5 time charter average slid slightly by $56 to $4,140 on Friday, as the market approached the long weekend. There was a prompt selloff of June contracts earlier in trading session, before …

DCE slides as participants seek clearer direction

Chinese futures continued the downward slope since the start of the week, as market participants waited for clearer market directions. The most-actively traded iron ore futures on the Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE), for September delivery, dropped by 2.99% day-on-day to RMB 698.50 per tonne on Monday. Similarly, the steel rebar contract on the Shanghai Futures …

High volatility expected, but iron ore risks reversal

Ferrous Sector Money-flow: DCE iron ore started to soften after open interest reached a yearly-high, indicating previous longs are taking gains. Coke became the leader of ferrous sector during previous week and early this week. DCE September iron ore total contract value was 65 billion Yuan, the peak in 2019 was 75 billion yuan. However, …

Slight gains for DCE as market wait for clearer directions from Two Sessions

Chinese futures ended the week on slight gains as trade participants waited for further market direction from China’s Two Sessions. The most-actively traded iron ore futures on the Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE), for September delivery, gained slightly by 0.77% day-on-day to RMB 716.50 per tonne on Friday. On the contrary, the steel rebar contract on …

Capesize rates drive higher by iron ore prices

Capesize market moved up to higher on higher iron ore prices and robust shipping demand. Due to the stronger physical market, the Capesize 5 time charter average rose by $245 to $4,196 on Thursday. The strong freight market had reflected a surge in iron ore prices which had hovered above the $90/mt for almost two …