News & Trends
Iron Ore price outlook during 3rd week of November 2008 - 21 Nov, 2008
It is reported that the survey of 40 steelmakers and 100 traders show that the majority believe imported iron ore price will remain stable in the third week of November.

Forecasts on imported iron ore price trend vary modestly from that in last week. Although mainstream forecasts show price will be stable, some are optimistic towards market in next week as medium and small steel mills in Tangshan resume operation, boosting demand for imported iron ore. 49% of steelmakers and traders agree the market will keep stable, 38% think price will slide, 11% is unclear of the trend and 2% expect the price to go up.

Iron ore price stays firm recently. Spot price for 63.5% ore stabilizes at CNY 600 per tonnes. Total stocks at ports decrease by 750,000 million tonnes from last week to 70.12 million tonnes, including 16.4 million tonnes of Indian ores, down 1.35 million tonnes WoW. Besides, China has adjusted export duties on steel products and this will exert positive influences to domestic steel mills. Some medium and small steel mills in Tangshan have resumed productions and started to purchase the material at low prices. Moreover, due to shrinking demand from China, miners have all cut supply. Against such a backdrop, some steelmakers and traders believe iron ore market will mainly keep stable.

As per report Steel price is unlikely to stop falling in a short term as it will take some time for the policy to be implemented. Steel billet price goes on declining this week, with lowest price of CNY 280 per tonnes in Tangshan. Small steel mills that have just resumed productions may face suspension again. Financial crisis has impacted exports of China's steel products. The country yielded 42.93 million tonnes of steel products in October, a YoY drop of 12.4% yet in the meanwhile it imported 30.62 million tonnes of iron ore, a MoM fall of 8.58 million tonnes.

Ocean freight rates keep diving this week. The rate for Tubarao Beilun and Campier Beilun stands at USD 9.03 per tonnes and USD 4.32 per tonnes. India has again lowered export duties on iron ore early this week. The rate on ore fines was adjusted to 8% ad valorem. This may trigger more FOB price cuts for Indian iron ore.

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Price Index - MEA
  Jan-06 Jan-05
LPPI 4231 4231 Same
FPPI 6537 6537 Same
MEASPI 4930 4930 Same
Currency Rates
07 Jan, 2009
USD 1.0000
AUD 1.3992
BRL 2.2034
CAD 1.1883
CNY 6.8267
EUR 0.7409
GBP 0.6806
INR 49.1200
JPY 93.6304
RUB 29.0530
ZAR 9.3219
Source: OANDA.com
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