Latest Analysis on the China steel market

Neutral market factors to keep China's short-term zinc prices fluctuating

China's zinc prices stopped falling and rebounded on December 19, with Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) zinc main contract closing prices increasing by Yuan 35/tonne day on day to Yuan 23,065/tonne. On December 19, China's zinc price slightly increased as the impact of substantial London Metal Excha

Weak spot trading boosts China's tin ingot inventory

China's tin prices increased further this week and refreshed year-to-date highs, with the weekly settlement price of the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) tin main contract increasing by 3.40% week on week to Yuan 330,584/tonne. Meanwhile, the London Metal Exchange (LME) three-month tin contract sett

DAILY: China portside imported iron ore prices edge up further

Chinese prices of imported iron ore continued to nudge higher for port stocks on December 19, while those for seaborne cargoes retreated. Trading activity cooled in both markets.

Global iron ore supply outlook for 2026: expansion driven by new capacity ramp-ups and project commissioning

A multi-year period of elevated iron ore prices has accelerated global investment in new mining capacity, pushing a sizeable pipeline of projects toward commissioning. With these developments converging, the global iron ore market is entering a decisive phase of supply expansion. While 2025 experien

FEATURE: Is now good time for Chinese thermal coal buyers to take positions?

After nearly a month of uninterrupted declines in China's spot thermal coal market, a familiar question starting to be asked among traders and end users is whether prices have fallen low enough to start buying?

The manganese sulfate price exhibits a strong trend with the cost of production continue to support the price

The manganese sulfate remained stable with the producers mainly produce based on sales, the sulfuric acid continue to increase with the cost of production pressure remained strong. The producers continued to maintain a firm pricing while the buyers mainly procure based on long term contracts and the

WEEKLY: China's lead prices to fluctuate amid fading downside momentum

China's domestic lead prices trended downward this week. Mysteel's 1# primary lead spot average prices from Monday to Thursday decreased by 1.53% and that of the secondary lead decreased by 1.47% week on week, reaching Yuan 16,845/tonne and Yuan 16,769/tonne, respectively. The Shanghai Futures Excha

WEEKLY: China's NPI prices firm on solid cost support

China's spot prices of nickel pig iron (NPI) held stable during the week of December 15-19, supported by the heavy costs smelters are bearing when producing the ferroalloy, the latest Mysteel survey revealed.

WEEKLY: Chinese mills lift rebar output to maintain profits

After dropping for three consecutive weeks and approaching the intra-year low in the previous week, rebar output among the 137 Chinese steel mills increased to 1.82 million tonnes over December 11-17, up by 1.6% or 29,000 tonnes on week due to mills' improved profit margins on producing this long st

China's 15th FYP: A turning point for private capital in national energy infrastructure

In November 2025, the General Office of the State Council released the Measures to Further Promote the Development of Private Investment. As a cornerstone policy shaping China's new investment and financing framework during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, the most significant breakthrough lies in th