China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) disappointed investors by withholding major new stimulus measures, despite expressing confidence in meeting the country's economic target for the year.
NMDC recorded iron ore production of 3.04 million tonnes in September 2024, a 1.3 percent increase compared to the same period last year, while sales rose 13.8 percent YoY to 3.54 million tonnes.
Iron ore prices skyrocketed nearly 11 percent following the easing of home-buying restrictions in three of China's largest cities—Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.
Prices of iron ore have been slipping this year, down more than 33 percent, to test multi-year lows as domestic consumption from China remains weak, with no sign of any recovery.
This price cut follows an earlier adjustment in early July, when NMDC had already reduced lump ore prices from Rs 6,450 per tonne in June to Rs 5,950 per tonne.
Consequent to the revision, a tonne of lump ore will now cost Rs 6,200 and fines Rs 5,260.
Analysts expected the cut from India's largest iron ore producer as global prices have corrected over the past two months
China’s property sector needs a more robust stimulus, barring which a shadow over iron ore prices may continue as steel-makers will taper output
NMDC raised lump ore prices to Rs 5,600 per tonne and fines increased to Rs 4,910 per tonne
Tata Steel India operations are integrated and the majority of incremental profits will come from India, given the capex guidance.
Traders are also banking on hopes that the property sector, good for 40% of China’s steel consumption, will see a further easing of policies
The most-traded iron ore futures on the Dalian Commodity Exchange, for September delivery, slumped over 8%, falling below 200 yuan per tonne.
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The underlying profit of USD 3.2 billion and earnings before tax of USD 9.9 billion for the last six months of 2016 exceeded expectations.
Avinnash Gorakssakar, Market Expert recommends holding NMDC with a view of 6-12 months.
World's largest steelmaker ArcelorMittal had said last month that it expects iron and steel prices to remain under pressure through out this calendar year.
In February, the miner had slashed rates by Rs 450 a tonne in lumps and Rs 300 a tonne in fines.
"The combination of a further increase in global iron ore supply this year and only subdued demand growth suggests iron ore prices will continue to drift lower," said Caroline Bain, an analyst at Capital Economics, in a note Monday.
Jonathan Barratt, CEO & Chief Economist, BarrattsBulletin.com expects gold to break out of its USD 1355 per ounce range.
Country's top iron ore producer NMDC‘s net sales was down 13.46 percent to Rs 7,500.02 crore. The company‘s chairman, CS Verma blamed it on Bailadila region's broken pipline. They were selling about seven to eight million tonnes of iron ore through it and since last one year they could not get any advantage of it.
Consultant at Steel Business Briefing Roger Manser sees iron ore prices falling to USD 120-130 dollar per tonne.
Japan's quake and current power crisis will hit the country's steel production, and in turn significantly boost export demand for China's long products, said a former official of the China Iron & Steel Association.
JSW Steel, India's No. 3 producer of the alloy, has passed on only a part of the cost increases through a price hike in January and may look at future raises depending on supply-demand equation, a senior official told Reuters on Tuesday.