Iron Ore Futures Prices Rebound, Steel Mill Purchase Willingness Weakens [SMM Imported Ore Daily Brief]

Iron ore futures strengthened with a fluctuating trend today. The most-traded contract I2609 closed at 783.5 yuan/mt, up 0.45% from the previous trading session. Port spot prices edged up by 3-5 yuan from the previous day. Traders showed moderate enthusiasm in offering prices; steel mills purchased as needed; with the weekend approaching, the overall market trading atmosphere was sluggish. The transaction price of PB fines at Shandong ports was 754 yuan/mt. The transaction price of PB fines at Caofeidian Port was 760 yuan/mt, and the transaction price of Jimblebar fines was 723 yuan/mt.

Today, SMM's 35-port inventory continued destocking, but the magnitude had narrowed significantly. The risk of inventory buildup is continuously increasing after entering June. Additionally, rising coke prices squeezed steel mill profits, continuing to weigh on iron ore prices. Meanwhile, end-use demand further weakened due to weather impacts, and market sentiment tilted toward pessimism. Under these combined influences, iron ore prices are expected to maintain a fluctuating trend within a narrow range, with the upper and lower bounds remaining unchanged.