July 21 (Reuters) - Dalian and Singapore iron ore futures dropped on Thursday, as investors shifted their focus back to gloomy China demand outlook after a short-lived boost from the latest government rhetoric on economic stimulus.
The most-traded iron ore, for September delivery, on China's Dalian Commodity Exchange DCIOcv1 ended daytime trade 0.3% down at 657 yuan ($97.15) a tonne, after earlier touching 646.50 yuan.
On the Singapore Exchange, the steelmaking ingredient's front-month August contract SZZFQ2 was down 0.6% at $98.85 a tonne, as of 0708 GMT.
Concerns remain over COVID-19 lockdowns in China, the world's top steel producer, and their impact on demand for steel products and raw materials despite the goverment's oft-repeated pledge of policy support for the struggling economy.
The southern megacity of Shenzhen vowed to curb a slowly spreading outbreak, as authorities adhere to China's unique "zero-COVID" policy.
Entering the Chinese New Year holiday, market trading is sluggish
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