WEEKLY: China's SiMn prices lost ground, output stable

China's silicomanganese (SiMn) prices declined during January 19-23, with the national price of 6517 SiMn under Mysteel's assessment standing at Yuan 5,646/tonne ($812/t) including the 13% VAT on January 23, falling by Yuan 85/t from one week before.

SiMn futures prices in Zhengzhou extended the weak run last week, reflecting a prevalent negative market sentiment in the domestic market. On January 23, the most-traded SiMn contract on the Zhengzhou Futures Exchange for delivery in March closed the daytime trading session at Yuan 5,856/t, lower by Yuan 28/t from the settlement price on