BEIJING- Prices of iron ore futures climbed on Wednesday to their highest levels in a week, as supportive property measures in top consumer China revived hopes of improved demand in the coming months.
The most-traded January iron ore contract on China’s Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) was up 2.54 percent at 727.5 yuan ($102.00) a metric ton, the highest level since Aug. 14.
The benchmark September iron ore on the Singapore Exchange jumped 2.09 percent to $97.5 a ton, its highest level since Aug. 14.
“At least 10 city governments in China have relaxed or scrapped new-home price guidelines to let market demand play a bigger role,” ANZ analysts said in a note.
“Beijing is also said to be considering a new funding option for local governments to buy unsold homes.”
Chinese property company Kaisa Group on Tuesday announced an offshore debt restructuring agreement with a key group of bondholders.
The signs of stabilizing in rebar due to improved fundamentals boosted sentiment in the ore market as well, analysts at Everbright Futures said in a note.
However, the cost competitiveness of steel scrap against iron ore may curb appetite for ore, capping price gains, analysts said.
