Iron ore futures climbed above CNY 750 per ton in late February, rebounding from seven-month lows as economic activity in China picked up following the long holiday, with steel mills expected to ramp up output.

Still, analysts project that China’s steel demand will contract in the first half of the year, potentially limiting the scope for sustained price gains.

Oversupply concerns also persisted, as iron ore inventories at Chinese ports rose to their highest level since February 2022.

Market participants are assessing the implications of the US Supreme Court’s tariff ruling, which could prompt further protectionist measures and weigh on global trade flows.

In corporate developments, Fortescue reported a 23% increase in first-half profit, supported by record iron ore shipments and firmer realized prices.

Separately, Australia is closely monitoring negotiations between major iron ore producers and China’s state-backed buyer, given the potential fiscal implications of lower ore prices.
Source: Trading Economics