The most-traded May iron ore on China’s Dalian Commodity Exchange rose 0.5% to 985.5 yuan ($137.93) per metric ton at closing, headed for the second consecutive year of gains.
On the Singapore Exchange, the benchmark January iron ore rose 0.5% to $140.22 a metric ton. China’s November industrial profits posted double-digit gains as overall manufacturing improved, although soft demand continued to constrain business growth expectations, emboldening calls for more macro policy support.
The country’s top planning body said on Saturday it had identified a second batch of public investment projects under a bond issuance and investment plan announced in October to boost the economy.
Five of China’s largest state banks lowered interest rates on some deposits on Friday, offering the prospect of reduced lending costs at a time when the government is urging banks to support the economy.
