Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Chinese Steel Futures Trade At All-Time High

 From Trading Economics (also on blogroll at right):

Shanghai steel futures climbed to a record-high of 4,849 yuan a tonne ahead of a seasonal recovery in demand and uncertainty over supply after top steelmaking city Tangshan pledged to cut emissions by 50% during days of heavy pollution. Domestic demand is likely to be spur by strong construction and manufacturing activities over the coming peak season. China’s property and infrastructure investment surged 38.3% and 36.6%, respectively, in the first two months of 2021 as the economy consolidated its recovery from the coronavirus blow; and industrial profit surged 179%. Latest data from Worldsteel showed most regions reported a decline in crude steel output in February, led by North America (down 8.9%), the European Union (down 7.1%) and Africa (down 6.4%). On the other hand, China the world's largest steelmaker produced about 83 million tonnes in February 2021, up by 10.9% from February 2020.