July 9 Transaction of Two-Grade Molybdenum Concentrates at a Jiangxi Mine

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) will release key economic data on July 15, including GDP growth for Q2 and H1, as well as data on industrial output, consumption, and investment. Economists participating in the CBN Chief Economists Survey projected an average 4.5% YoY GDP growth for Q2 2026. They believe that the “K-shaped divergence” in China’s economy has become more pronounced, the economy is in a period of replacing old growth drivers with new ones, and macro policies are expected to step up efforts to stabilize growth in H2. However, the release of new growth drivers is not enough to offset the waning of old drivers, which does not alter the fundamental pattern that China’s economy remains in the painful transition of replacing old growth drivers with new ones. Measures should be taken in advance to build up policy reserves, strengthen situation monitoring and risk early warning, and formulate contingency plans, so as to use policy foresight to hedge against uncertainties in the internal and external environment.

[Plate/HRC] Plate export prices ease, HRC deals at 488-495 USD/tonne On 10 July China's HRC and other plate export prices fell 1-2 USD/tonne day on day, with HRC export deals at 488-495 USD/tonne FOB. A recent slowdown in yuan appreciation pushed prices modestly lower during the week; overseas demand showed no clear improvement and export order-taking stayed quiet. [Billet] Export billet FOB steady at 459-462 USD/tonne FOB Jiangyin, order-taking weak On 10 July China's export billet FOB price held steady, quoted at 459-462 USD/tonne at Jiangyin port. According to market feedback, although there were inquiries, deal prices in some Southeast Asian import markets were about 10 USD/tonne below domestic offers; with limited room for concessions, mills' billet export order-taking remained unsatisfactory, with most order shipments in August-September. [Rebar] Export rebar prices little changed, typhoon slows southeast-coast shipments On 10 July, according to market feedback, export rebar prices have shown little movement recently with relatively limited room for negotiation; typhoon weather has slowed the pace of shipments from southeast coastal areas.

Today, the DCE iron ore futures trended weaker today, with contract I2609 closing at 751.5 yuan/mt, up 0.87% from the previous trading day. Port spot prices rose 2–5 yuan/mt from the prior trading day.