Iron ore price at near 4-month low on interest rate, demand concerns

The iron ore price dropped nearly 7% on Tuesday, fuelled by concerns about higher interest rates and still-stagnant demand from China.

The US Federal Reserve approved a half-a-point interest rate hike last week, and said it could stick to that for the next two to three meetings and then assess how the economy and inflation are responding before deciding whether further rises are needed.
“That has led to a significant decline in commodities prices denominated in US dollars such as iron ore,” GF Futures analysts wrote in a note.

Meanwhile, thin profit margins at steel producers and overall steel output controls in China have curbed production increases and dented demand for steelmaking ingredients, GF Futures said.

The most-active iron ore futures on China’s Dalian Commodity Exchange, for September delivery, plunged as much as 7% to 756 yuan ($112.71) per tonne, the lowest since March 16.

They ended 4.1% lower at 779 yuan a tonne, extending losses to the third day.

Benchmark 62% Fe fines imported into Northern China fell 6.18%, to $129.92 per tonne, the lowest since January 18.