DAILY: China's thermal coal prices flat, yet upward pressure grows

China's thermal coal prices at northern ports held steady on November 5 for a fourth consecutive session, with buying yet to recover sustainably. However, firmer mine-mouth prices will raise the cost of new shipments to ports, putting portside sellers under growing pressure to raise prices.

On November 5, Mysteel assessed 5,500 kcal/kg NAR thermal coal at Yuan 1,015/tonne ($152.2/t) FOB northern ports, including 13% VAT, unchanged for a fourth consecutive session. The 5,000 and 4,500 kcal/kg NAR grades held flat at Yuan 913/t and Yuan 807/t, respectively. At eastern ports on the Yangtze River,