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 …

Robust Pacific drives Capesize rates higher

Capesize market continued the good run, thanks to the robust Pacific market with better freight rates. Reflecting the better physical market, the Capesize 5 time charter average increased by $489 to $3,951 on Wednesday. With Capesize market as the driving force, the Baltic Dry Index spiked again and gained over 5.30% on-day to 477 readings …

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, …

China Simplifies Iron Ore Import Rules Amid Australia Virus Spat

China streamlined its inspection rules for iron ore imports amid increasing debate about whether the $43 billion trade between the two nations will be caught up in their escalating spat. While the Global Times — a tabloid run by the flagship newspaper of the Communist Party — said the simplification of rules is aimed at …

Capesize continues the good run with better demand

Capesize market rebound to better shipping demand, with improving freight rates in both the Atlantic and Pacific basins. Thus, the Capesize 5 time charter average rose by $587 to $3,462 on Tuesday, as some trade participants believed that the market had bottomed out. Buoyed by the better Capesize market, the Baltic Dry Index rose over …

Capesize extends positive run on better bunker prices

Capesize market continued its positive run with more fixings and stronger Pacific market that drove better freight rates. As such, the Capesize 5 time charter average rose by $481 to $2,875 on Monday, as some trade participants were heard to do “bottom picking” after another round of short covering. Driven by better Capesize rates, the …

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 …