DAILY: China's thermal coal rebounds as sellers bet on pre-holiday demand

China's portside thermal coal prices snapped a losing streak on September 17 with a mild rebound, as sellers halted discounts ahead of expected pre-holiday restocking, though utilities stayed on long-term contracts and showed little appetite for spot cargoes.

On Thursday, Mysteel assessed the benchmark 5,500 kcal/kg NAR thermal coal at Yuan 983/tonne ($146.5/t) FOB northern ports with VAT, up Yuan 3/t. The 5,000 kcal/kg and 4,500 kcal/kg grades each rose Yuan 3/t to Yuan 889/t and Yuan 803/t. At eastern ports along the Yangtze River, the 5,500