MANILA: Iron ore extended its rally to a fourth straight session on Wednesday, with the Dalian benchmark scaling a five-week peak, as traders clung to hopes that recent policy actions in top steel producer China will spur demand for the raw material.
Benchmarks for steel varieties and other steelmaking inputs in China also advanced as overall sentiment remained upbeat despite data showing that new home prices fell at their fastest pace since 2015 in October.
The most-traded January iron ore on China’s Dalian Commodity Exchange ended morning trade 2.4% higher at 736 yuan a tonne. Earlier in the session, it hit 736.50 yuan, its highest since Oct. 11.
“Short-term (trading) is dominated by emotions,” Sinosteel Futures analysts said in a note. The overall mood turned positive after a market rout in October, with gains accelerating following China’s announcement on Friday of the easing of some of its strict Covid-19 rules despite the current surge in infections. News over the weekend about a rescue package for ailing Chinese property developers added to the upbeat sentiment, with traders shrugging off October economic indicators pointing to the world’s second-largest economy slowing down due to the Covid-19 curbs and property sector downturn. On the Singapore Exchange, benchmark December iron ore rose as much as 5.2% to $99.60 a tonne, its loftiest since Sept 16.
The on-ground reality is not inspiring, however, as steel mills are reducing output amid weak demand and bracing for winter production curbs.
Comments
Comments are closed for this article.