China Sets 1.25% Overnight Reverse Repo Rate Below Market Expectations 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data as Fed Rate Hike Expectations Stay Elevated 
Bank Regulation Rollbacks in the U.S. and UK Could Increase Financial Risks, Study Warns 
Iran Attack in Strait of Hormuz Pushes Oil Prices Higher 
Oil Prices Drop as Middle East Supply Recovery Eases Market Concerns 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Gold Price Ends Lower for Fourth Week Despite Rebound as Fed Rate Hike Bets Strengthen 
Oil Prices Rebound as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Return After Ship Attack Near Oman 
Gold Drops Below $4,000 as Strong US Dollar and Fed Rate Hike Expectations Pressure Bullion 
S&P Affirms Brazil’s BB Credit Rating with Stable Outlook Amid Fiscal Challenges 
Gold Price Falls as Fed Rate Hike Fears and U.S.-Iran Tensions Weigh on Bullion 
Japan Targets 1%+ Real Economic Growth With ¥370 Trillion Investment Plan 
White House Seeks $87.6 Billion Emergency Funding for Iran War, Farmers, and Ebola Response 
Oil Prices Rise as US-Iran Tensions Threaten Strait of Hormuz Oil Shipments 
South Korea’s KOSPI Plunges as Apple Price Hikes and OpenAI IPO Delay Shake AI Chip Stocks 
China Expands Export Controls, Adds 20 Japanese Companies to Restricted List 
Iron ore futures fell over 1% on Thursday, pressured by rising tariffs on Chinese steel and increasing iron ore imports into China, the world’s top consumer.
On the Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE), the most-traded May iron ore contract dropped 1.05% to 803 yuan ($110.48) per metric ton. In Singapore, benchmark March iron ore fell 1.4% to $104.4 per ton.
A surge in Australian and Brazilian shipments, coupled with a month-on-month decline in molten iron output, has weighed on prices, according to broker Hexun Futures. Additionally, a weakening outlook for Chinese steel exports further dampened sentiment as more nations impose tariffs.
Following the U.S. decision to implement a 25% tariff on all steel products, Vietnam imposed a temporary anti-dumping duty on Chinese steel, while South Korea is considering tariffs of up to 38% on Chinese steel plate imports. The EU is also evaluating restrictions on steel imports in response to U.S. tariff moves.
Despite these pressures, daily crude steel output among China Iron and Steel Association (CISA) member mills hit a seven-month high of 2.15 million tons in mid-February, according to Mysteel.
Steel futures on the Shanghai Futures Exchange remained stable, with rebar slipping 0.03% and hot-rolled coil down nearly 0.1%. Wire rod traded flat, while stainless steel gained 0.57%. Other steelmaking raw materials saw mild declines, with coking coal falling 0.41% and coke down 0.36% on the DCE.
With global trade tensions rising and iron ore supply increasing, market participants remain cautious about future price trends.
