DAILY: China's thermal coal prices begin to ease as demand wanes

China's thermal coal prices at northern transfer ports edged down on August 20, snapping a five-session stretch of stability that had held since August 12, as weakening coastal coal consumption increasingly weighed on spot demand. With the summer peak fading, utilities have grown less inclined to chase high-priced cargoes, though tight domestic supply and elevated replacement costs continue to cap the downside.

On Thursday, Mysteel assessed 5,500 kcal/kg NAR thermal coal at northern ports at Yuan 860/tonne ($126.9/t) FOB with VAT, down Yuan 1/t from Wednesday. The 5,000 kcal/kg NAR grade also fell Yuan 1/t to Yuan 770/t, while 4,500 kcal/kg NAR held stable at Yuan 685/t. At eastern Yangtze River