Iron Ore Rises as China Resumes Activity

2026-02-25 05:49 By Jam Kaimo Samonte 1 min. read

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.



News Stream
Iron Ore Rises as China Resumes Activity
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.
2026-02-25
Iron Ore Holds Decline as China Trading Resumes
Iron ore futures remained below CNY 750 per ton in late February, hovering at seven-month lows as mainland China markets reopened after the long Lunar New Year break. Trading on the DCE and SHFE was suspended from February 16 to 23 for the holidays, while equivalent contracts in Singapore declined over the same period. Meanwhile, industry data showed iron ore arrivals at major Chinese ports fell by 1.7 million tons in the latest week, offering some potential price support. Demand for the steelmaking raw material is expected to improve as economic activity in China resumes. Separately, Australia is closely monitoring negotiations between leading iron ore producers and China’s state-backed buyer, given the potential budgetary impact of lower ore prices. Iron ore is Australia’s top export commodity, and mining-related tax revenues remain a key pillar of federal finances.
2026-02-24
Iron Ore Halts Trading During Lunar New Year Holiday
Iron ore futures dropped below CNY 750 per ton in mid-February, hitting seven-month lows, as trading in mainland China paused for the Lunar New Year holiday running from Feb. 16 to 23. The steelmaking ingredient has faced sustained pressure in recent weeks as inventories in China approached record highs and mills scaled back operations ahead of the holiday. At the same time, supply expanded as major exporters Australia and Brazil increased shipments in late January. Meanwhile, work at the SimFer iron ore project in Guinea has been suspended following the death of an employee of a contracting firm. Looking ahead, investors are focused on a key parliamentary meeting in Beijing next month, where authorities are expected to outline annual economic targets and potentially unveil additional stimulus measures.
2026-02-16