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 …

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 …

Iron Ore’s Strength Set to Linger Longer on Brazil Supply Woes

Escalating concerns that the coronavirus pandemic may curb iron ore supply in Brazil are set to further support prices — already at an eight-month high — and are pushing back forecasts for the timing of a descent into the $70s. Citigroup Inc., which said in early May that a fall to $70 a ton was …