Iron ore futures surge on Brazil virus fears

Iron ore futures surged on Wednesday on renewed concerns over the worsening coronavirus crisis in Brazil. Unlike many other countries, Brazil has not enforced a lockdown, resulting in a widespread increase of coronavirus infections. It was reported that there has been a sudden spike in coronavirus cases in the Brazilian state of Para, where around …

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 …

FIS Daily Physical Review May 27th

Iron Ore and Steel Market Updates –    Japan JFE steel will settle the subsidiary Nippon EGalv Steel in Malaysia after a financial loss. The mill will stop operation in this June. –    Baffinland Iron Mines will keep operating at 6 million tonnes mtpa before the end of 2021. Indian Sponge Iron Manufacturers Association appealed to …

China Abandons Hard Growth Target, Shifts Stimulus Focus to Jobs

The Chinese government abandoned its decades-long practice of setting an annual target for economic growth amid the storm of uncertainty unleashed by the coronavirus pandemic, and said it would continue to increase stimulus. Speaking at the National People’s Congress in Beijing on Friday morning, Premier Li Keqiang delivered an annual policy address that instead laid …

Iron ore blips back on supply fears, stimulus hopes

Iron ore futures recovered from yesterday’s blip to trade above $95 as investors become increasingly concerned over the coronavirus crisis in Brazil. Brazil’s iron ore shipments had their slowest start to a year in the last five years. Brazilian miner Vale downgraded its production guidance early in the year, Morgan Financials Ltd noted that more …

What to Watch as China Unveils Stimulus in Policy Meeting

China’s top leaders should reveal on Friday how much they’re planning to spend on stimulus to support the post-virus economy, when they belatedly announce their economic policy blueprint for the rest of 2020. The centerpiece event will be the work report delivered by Premier Li Keqiang, which typically contains the economic growth and spending targets, …

Iron ore futures retreat as traders take profits ahead of Two Sessions

Iron ore futures retreated on Wednesday ahead of China’s Two Sessions meeting which is scheduled to convene tomorrow. Some profit-taking activities could be attributed to the decline as investors await the annual meeting for news of fresh impetus.   Iron ore has enjoyed a stellar run of late, gaining over $13 since the start of …

China May Tighten Australian Coal Imports Amid Tensions

China may tighten Australian coal imports amid recent tensions between the two countries, according to a daily note from China Coal Market, which is affiliated with China Coal Transport and Distribution Association. * If the curbs are put in place, Australian coal prices will be hit, said the note * NOTE: China targeted Australian coal …

China construction in the bubble, iron ore demand risk remains

Ferrous Sector Money Flow: DCE iron ore aggregated open interest is up 38.97% from April 29th and reached the highest level in Q2, coking coal decreased by 18.55% during the same period. Steel, coke and flat glass used in house construction remained stable on open interest. Investors should be aware of money flow out of …