DAILY: China's met coke makers enjoy better profits, but sentiment softens

Profits among China's metallurgical coke producers improved as of December 11, supported by further declines in coking coal costs. However, market sentiment remained subdued, with the outlook still gloomy amid steelmakers' firm push to drive down raw material prices.

By Thursday, the 30 Chinese merchant coke makers under Mysteel's nationwide tracking were earning an average of Yuan 44/tonne ($6.2/t) on coke sales, up Yuan 14/t from their average gain last week. With Chinese coking coal prices continuing to fall this week, coke plants saw their production costs ease, helping