WEEKLY: China's thermal coal market shows mixed trends

China's thermal coal market showed mixed movements over the previous week of March 10-14, with prices declining at northern ports while the uptrend was maintained at mines. Despite this difference, many participants were bearish about the market outlook for the second half of the month, driven by the seasonally low demand for the fuel.

At China's northern ports, Mysteel's assessment for the benchmark 5,500 kcal/kg NAR coal remained stable from Monday to Thursday before a Yuan 5/tonne ($0.7/t) fall on Friday, reaching Yuan 690/t ($95.3/t), FOB northern ports with VAT. The assessment for 5,000 kcal/kg NAR grade held firm at Yuan 600/t throughout