DAILY: China's thermal coal prices level off on weaker demand, improved supply

China's domestic thermal coal prices paused their monthlong upward trend on March 3, as downstream demand softened and domestic supply increased with miners resuming operations following the Chinese New Year holiday.

On Tuesday, Mysteel assessed 5,500 kcal/kg NAR thermal coal at Yuan 751/tonne ($109/t) FOB northern ports with VAT, unchanged from a day ago. Prices for 5,000 kcal/kg and 4,500 kcal/kg NAR grades also moved sideways at Yuan 671/t and Yuan 584/t, respectively. Prior to the stabilization, the benchmark 5,500 kcal/kg