DAILY: China's thermal coal prices tick up, yet uncertainty remains

China's thermal coal prices at northern ports rose slightly on March 19, buoyed by sporadic demand and cost-wise support despite port inventory accumulations. However, participants remained cautiously optimistic about the upward dynamic, citing relatively weak demand from power utilities.

On Thursday, Mysteel assessed 5,500 kcal/kg NAR thermal coal at Yuan 733/tonne ($106.2/t) FOB northern ports with VAT, while 5,000 kcal/kg NAR grade rose Yuan 1/t to Yuan 650/t, and the 4,500 kcal/kg NAR grade registered a Yuan 2/t increase to Yuan 561/t. Sources reported that inquiries for the fossil