DAILY: China's port thermal coal market loses steam as cost support eases

China's portside thermal coal market largely stabilized on June 5, as more traders looked to accelerate sales amid declining pithead prices, weakening cost support. However, the market has yet to tip into a downtrend, with lingering summer demand expectations keeping it in a fragile balance.

Traders noted that the mood at northern ports has turned cautious. While offer prices held steady, many sellers are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain them. Buyers, in no hurry to commit, largely sought discounts to index levels, keeping actual transactions scarce as they await clearer directional cues, sources