FIS Castaway – Eps.9 – Unprecedented Coverage in Unprecedented Times

In Episode 9 of Castaway we have special guest Julie Arnold talking to us about power markets – especially the new emerging Japanese power market. We also have our regular news and commodity market reviews and a hot potato of a new random market of the week. Click on the link below to listen now! …

Slow start to Capesize after long weekend

Capesize market made a slow start after a long weekend break, with sluggish shipping demand in physical and paper markets. Thus, the Capesize 5 time charter average dipped slightly by $20 to $4,120 on spot rates, almost a flat index that failed to inspire the paper market. The almost unchanged index may reflect market concerns …

House Set to Back China Sanctions Amid Rising Tensions With U.S

The House of Representatives is poised to give final passage Wednesday to legislation that would sanction Chinese officials for human rights abuses against Muslim minorities, the latest in a series of moves by Congress and the White House to put pressure on the Beijing government. The measure was approved by unanimous consent in the Senate …

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 …

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 …

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, …

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 …