Pig iron output about to peak, steel price may retrace down

Published: May 20, 2024 15:09
Source: SMM
Ferrous metal prices fell first and then hike last week.

Ferrous metal prices fell first and then hike last week. At the beginning of last week, the Ministry of Finance announced the issuance arrangements for general government bonds and ultra-long-term special bonds in 2024. In the second half of last week, it was rumored that 12 cities with plans of special refinancing bond issuance will lift the restrictions on construction suspension. Relevant policies of China's acquisition and storage of housing were implemented. Russian senior officials stated that they will significantly increase steel imports from China. The macro news largely boosted market sentiment and ferrous metal market. In spot market, steel prices increased in the second half of last week. Low-price transactions performed well.

This week, pig iron output is about to reach peak. Possible raw material price slip will weaken steel production costs. Steel prices will follow raw material prices this week, and may dip after rising.

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 to learn 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
Before the holiday, the black chain is unlikely to see a trend-driven market [SMM Steel Industry Chain Weekly Report].
Feb 6, 2026 18:30
Before the holiday, the black chain is unlikely to see a trend-driven market [SMM Steel Industry Chain Weekly Report].
Read More
Before the holiday, the black chain is unlikely to see a trend-driven market [SMM Steel Industry Chain Weekly Report].
Before the holiday, the black chain is unlikely to see a trend-driven market [SMM Steel Industry Chain Weekly Report].
This week, ferrous metals were in the doldrums, with coking coal and coke staging a mid-week rise. At the beginning of the week, financial markets experienced sharp fluctuations, dragging down sentiment in the ferrous chain and leading to a pullback in futures. Mid-week, Indonesia's cut to coke production quotas drove coking coal and coke futures to lead the gains, though the impact was more pronounced on thermal coal, while coking coal's rise was largely sentiment-driven and short-lived. In the latter part of the week, finished products continued their seasonal inventory buildup, and support from the raw material side weakened, causing the entire ferrous chain to pull back. In the spot market, with the Chinese New Year holiday approaching, purchasing activity slowed down further, with end-users only making limited, as-needed purchases at low prices.
Feb 6, 2026 18:30
MMi Daily Iron Ore Report (February 6)
Feb 6, 2026 18:09
MMi Daily Iron Ore Report (February 6)
Read More
MMi Daily Iron Ore Report (February 6)
MMi Daily Iron Ore Report (February 6)
Today, the DCE iron ore futures continued to hit bottom today, with the most-traded contract I2605 closing at 760.5 yuan/mt, down 1.23% from the previous trading day. Spot prices fell by 5–10 yuan/mt compared to the previous trading day.
Feb 6, 2026 18:09
[SMM Chromium Daily Review] Inquiries and Transactions Weakened, Chromium Market Showed Mediocre Performance Before the Holiday
Feb 6, 2026 17:41
[SMM Chromium Daily Review] Inquiries and Transactions Weakened, Chromium Market Showed Mediocre Performance Before the Holiday
Read More
[SMM Chromium Daily Review] Inquiries and Transactions Weakened, Chromium Market Showed Mediocre Performance Before the Holiday
[SMM Chromium Daily Review] Inquiries and Transactions Weakened, Chromium Market Showed Mediocre Performance Before the Holiday
[SMM Chrome Daily Review: Trading and Inquiries Weakened, Chrome Market Showed Mediocre Performance Before the Holiday] February 6, 2026: Today, the ex-factory price of high-carbon ferrochrome in Inner Mongolia was 8,500-8,600 yuan/mt (50% metal content), flat MoM from the previous trading day...
Feb 6, 2026 17:41
Pig iron output about to peak, steel price may retrace down - Shanghai Metals Market (SMM)