US Stock Futures Rise as US-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Boost Market Sentiment 
Bank Regulation Rollbacks in the U.S. and UK Could Increase Financial Risks, Study Warns 
Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Countries Imposing Digital Services Taxes on U.S. Tech Firms 
Gold Drops Below $4,000 as Strong US Dollar and Fed Rate Hike Expectations Pressure Bullion 
Gold Price Falls as Fed Rate Hike Fears and U.S.-Iran Tensions Weigh on Bullion 
China Sets 1.25% Overnight Reverse Repo Rate Below Market Expectations 
Oil Prices Rebound as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Return After Ship Attack Near Oman 
Gold Price Ends Lower for Fourth Week Despite Rebound as Fed Rate Hike Bets Strengthen 
Oil Prices Drop as Middle East Supply Recovery Eases Market Concerns 
China Expands Export Controls, Adds 20 Japanese Companies to Restricted List 
World Bank Approves $1.1 Billion Emergency Funding for Bangladesh Amid Food and Energy Price Pressures 
Asian Currencies Trade Mixed as Yen Hovers Near 40-Year Low, Dollar Holds Firm on Fed Outlook 
Morgan Stanley Sees Chinese Auto Market Recovery Gaining Momentum in Late Summer 
China Factory PMI Seen Returning to Growth in June as AI Export Demand Supports Economy 
Oil Prices Rise as US-Iran Tensions Threaten Strait of Hormuz Oil Shipments 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data as Fed Rate Hike Expectations Stay Elevated 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Iron ore futures fell for the sixth consecutive session on Monday as escalating U.S.-China trade tensions weighed on market sentiment. However, stronger-than-expected Chinese manufacturing data helped limit losses.
The most-traded May iron ore contract on the Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) dropped 0.75% to 796 yuan ($109.32) per metric ton by 0254 GMT, touching a session low of 788 yuan—the weakest since January 16. On the Singapore Exchange, benchmark March iron ore dipped 0.15% to $103.1 per ton.
Investor concerns grew after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent revealed that Mexico proposed matching U.S. tariffs on China. This followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 10% tariff hike on Chinese imports and plans to impose 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum from March 4. The move threatens China's $7 billion transshipment steel market, further pressuring its struggling steel sector.
Despite trade frictions, China’s factory activity expanded in February, driven by improved supply, demand, and export orders, according to a private-sector survey. Official PMI data released Saturday also showed the fastest manufacturing growth in three months, reinforcing confidence that economic stimulus measures are supporting recovery amid sluggish demand and a weak property sector.
Other steelmaking commodities on the DCE gained, with coking coal up 1.46% and coke rising 1.31%. Steel benchmarks on the Shanghai Futures Exchange also advanced, with rebar and stainless steel climbing 0.3%, hot-rolled coil up nearly 0.6%, and wire rod increasing 0.54%.
As trade tensions persist, the iron ore market remains volatile, with investors closely monitoring global policy shifts and China's economic resilience.
