DCE slides for second day on cautious buying

Chinese futures dropped on limited buying interest as procurement slowed down and buyers digested high prices and supply impact in the market. The most-actively traded iron ore futures on the Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE), for September delivery, continued to descend for the second consecutive day by 1.43% day-on-day to RMB 759.50 per tonne on Wednesday. …

China Demand Pushes Copper Higher

Copper continues to make new highs and is now at its strongest level since February 19, driven by vigorous demand from China. Like iron ore, demand is strong, whilst mine closures caused by Covid-19 have restricted supply. This means previous predictions of a surplus are likely to be erased, creating an unexpected V-shaped recovery. In …

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 …

Capesize rides along with the iron ore bull run

Capesize rates continued the bullish run over Brazilian supply concerns, while high construction activities in China support iron ore demand. As such, the Capesize 5 time charter average jumped by $438 day-on-day to $7,745 on Monday, after more European players entered the market and pushed up rates. The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) followed the rally …

Oil Through the Looking Glass 9/6/20

Easing of Lockdown Bounce Prices have been rising on Brent as hopes that the global recovery post covid-19 will be swift, bringing normal levels of demand back to the battered market. Prices on front month futures have pushed above the $40 level and even Goldman Sachs has raised its oil price forecasts to a $40.40 …

Has Iron Ore Reached its Top?

Consensus The consensus in the financial sector is that iron ore prices are looking overstretched. Almost daily we hear that supply will increase and demand will decrease in the second half of the year. If this is the case, then surely with over 100 million tons of inventory the upside is not limited, it is …

DCE retreats from more Australian exports

Chinese futures retreated slightly today after a recent rally that supported by possible supply concerns in Brazil. As such, the most-actively traded iron ore futures on the Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE), for September delivery, dropped by 1.03% day-on-day to RMB 769.50 per tonne on Tuesday. Following the decline, the steel rebar contract on the Shanghai …

Oil Through the Looking Glass 8/6/20

Cuts and Imports It must be music to the ears of all oil producers: the oil guzzling Chinese mainland has increased their crude imports to all-time highs. Low prices have drawn Chinese buyers to boost imports, with purchases rising to 11.3 million bpd in May. If you throw in the news of the one-month extension …

DCE rises over Vale’s supply woe

Chinese futures rose further over supply concerns as Vale was ordered to suspend its Itabira mine amid coronavirus pandemic. Thus, the most-actively traded iron ore futures on the Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE), for September delivery, jumped up by 5.53% day-on-day to RMB 783 per tonne on Monday. However, the steel rebar contract on the Shanghai …

Soy rises on China hopes but long term doubts remain

US domestic Soy prices have produced their highest close in nine weeks and their highest weekly percentage increase since March 27th.     The price increase is on the back of continued purchases of U.S. agricultural products by China. Committed to over 50 billion tonnes of purchases, China has come under fire for sourcing Soy …