Iron ore prices rose on Wednesday amid signs of resilient demand in China.
Base metals have rebounded this week as Beijing’s success in containing a sprawling covid-19 outbreak shored up confidence in the demand outlook.
According to Fastmarkets MB, benchmark 62% Fe fines imported into Northern China were changing hands for $148.66 a tonne, up 1.4% from Tuesday’s closing.
Iron ore’s January 2022 contract on China’s Dalian Commodity Exchange ended daytime trading 1.9% higher at 802.50 yuan ($123.90) a tonne, off a session high of 829 yuan, its strongest since August 18.
China’s central bank chief vowed this week to stabilize the supply of credit and boost the amount of money supporting smaller businesses and the real economy after both credit and economic growth slowed in July.
In China, “people are hoping for some further stimulus targeting the infrastructure sector, as real estate and manufacturing are looking bleak,” Erik Hedborg, principal analyst at commodities consultancy CRU Group, said in a note.
China’s ongoing steel production restrictions and covid-19 curbs weighed heavily on iron ore in recent weeks.
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