Iron Ore & Steel Q4 Outlook: Iron ore to stay strong despite fall in steel output

  • Thursday, September 17, 2020
  • Source:ferro-alloys.com

  • Keywords:Iron Ore, Steel, steel output
[Fellow]Only 18% of respondents expected their iron ore requirements to increase in Q4.
[Ferro-Alloys.comIron ore prices are expected to remain relatively strong in the October-December quarter despite demand falling on the back of reduced crude steel production, according to the latest S&P Global Platts quarterly Iron Ore & Steel Outlook released Sept. 16.
 
The Outlook found that 54% of respondents expected iron ore prices to range between $100/mt and $110/mt CFR China in calendar Q4. Just over one-third believed iron ore prices would stay above $110/mt and 11% thought they would fall below $100/mt.
 
Only 18% of respondents expected their iron ore requirements to increase in Q4, with 39% tipping them to fall and 43% believing their demand would be similar to Q3.
 
Some respondents commented that the extent of China's winter steel production cuts created uncertainty around demand levels.
 
China's crude steel production hit a record high in August, but 54% of respondents expected output to fall in Q4, while 32% thought it would stay at a similar level to the July-September quarter, according to the Outlook.
 
In potentially positive news for steel prices, 54% of respondents expected steel inventories to come down in Q4, with just 14% believing they would increase.
 
Weaker domestic steel prices could see China become competitive in exports again, but only 29% thought exports would rise in Q4, while 22% thought they would fall.
 
Source: S&P Global Platts
 
 
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  • [Editor:kangmingfei]

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