DAILY: Demand sags as warmer weather curbs steam coal burn in China

Buying interest thinned in China's domestic thermal coal market on January 13, as warmer weather curbed power and heating demand in eastern and southern regions, prompting power utilities to scale back spot coal purchases at northern ports, sources said.

Coal prices, however, temporarily held firm, underpinned by lingering bullish sentiment. But price gains had narrowed, pointing to a potential shift toward stabilization. On Tuesday, Mysteel assessed 5,500 kcal/kg, 5,000 kcal/kg and 4,500 kcal/kg NAR thermal coal at Yuan 706/tonne ($101.1/t), Yuan 619/t and Yuan 526/t respectively, all up