Widespread Output Cuts to Bolster DCE Iron Ore Prices

Published: Apr 24, 2023 15:18
Source: SMM
At the beginning of last week, China’s GDP data for the first quarter exceeded market expectations. The performance of the real estate sector was lacklustre. Subsequently, the National Development and Reform Commission stated that it would resolutely curb unreasonable rise in iron ore prices, pushing down the iron ore futures prices. From a fundamental point of view, most of the steel mills will restock inventories ahead of the May Day holidays.

SHANGHAI, Apr 24 (SMM) – At the beginning of last week, China’s GDP data for the first quarter exceeded market expectations. The performance of the real estate sector was lacklustre. Subsequently, the National Development and Reform Commission stated that it would resolutely curb unreasonable rise in iron ore prices, pushing down the iron ore futures prices. From a fundamental point of view, most of the steel mills will restock inventories ahead of the May Day holidays.

According to SMM statistics, the pig iron output loss caused by blast furnace maintenance was 587,200 mt, up 1,000 mt from the prior week. Lower pig iron output undermined the support for iron ore prices. Overseas supply will increase in the near term. SMM also learns that steel mills in Shanxi, Shaanxi and Sichuan will continue to reduce production, and the expected widespread output cuts will bolster DCE iron ore prices this week.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM's internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or for more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn
For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn
Related News
[SMM Weekly Summary] Strong Wait-and-See Sentiment, Non-Oriented Silicon Steel May Be in the Doldrums Next Week
4 mins ago
[SMM Weekly Summary] Strong Wait-and-See Sentiment, Non-Oriented Silicon Steel May Be in the Doldrums Next Week
Read More
[SMM Weekly Summary] Strong Wait-and-See Sentiment, Non-Oriented Silicon Steel May Be in the Doldrums Next Week
[SMM Weekly Summary] Strong Wait-and-See Sentiment, Non-Oriented Silicon Steel May Be in the Doldrums Next Week
4 mins ago
Stainless steel products and costs edge up in tandem, steel mill profits remain stable [SMM Analysis]
8 mins ago
Stainless steel products and costs edge up in tandem, steel mill profits remain stable [SMM Analysis]
Read More
Stainless steel products and costs edge up in tandem, steel mill profits remain stable [SMM Analysis]
Stainless steel products and costs edge up in tandem, steel mill profits remain stable [SMM Analysis]
[SMM Analysis] Stainless Steel Products and Costs Edge Up in Tandem, Steel Mill Profits Stable This week, stainless steel product prices and production costs edged up in tandem, while steel mill smelting profits remained basically stable overall. Based on calculations for 304 cold-rolling, the profit margin this week was 2.15% when accounting for raw materials at current prices and 1.11% when accounting for inventory raw materials, indicating that stainless steel mills still maintain certain smelting profits. Nickel-based raw materials side, high-grade NPI prices were largely stable this week. Although SHFE nickel and SS futures held up well overall during the week, the current traditional consumption off-season for stainless steel meant steel mills' purchase demand for NPI remained persistently weak, with very few actual transactions concluded recently. Amid the tug-of-war between longs and shorts, NPI prices remained steady this week. As of this Friday, the delivered duty-paid price for China's 10-12% grade Indonesian high-grade NPI remained stable at 1,132.5 yuan per nickel unit. Stainless steel scrap prices edged up this week, lifted by stronger SS futures driving spot prices higher. However, the temporarily stable high-grade NPI prices narrowed scrap's economic advantage. The current traditional consumption off-season persists, downstream demand is sluggish, and steel mills are cautious in purchasing, mainly transacting on a need-to basis. Under the dual constraints of weak demand and diminishing substitution benefits, upward momentum for stainless steel scrap was insufficient. In the short term, it will maintain largely stable consolidation supported by futures resilience, with limited upside room. As of this Friday, mainstream 304 off-cuts prices in Shanghai rose by 200 yuan/mt, quoted at 10,450 yuan/mt. Chrome-based raw materials side, high-carbon ferrochrome prices operated stably this week. Although ferrochrome supply remains relatively ample currently, coupled with demand pulling back amid off-season production cuts for stainless steel, recent high-cost ferrochrome...
8 mins ago
[SMM Coking Coal and Coke Daily Brief Review] 20260724
13 mins ago
[SMM Coking Coal and Coke Daily Brief Review] 20260724
Read More
[SMM Coking Coal and Coke Daily Brief Review] 20260724
[SMM Coking Coal and Coke Daily Brief Review] 20260724
13 mins ago