补库带动，四季度铁矿石价格先抑后扬

1. Report Industry Investment Rating No relevant content provided. 2. Core Viewpoints of the Report - In the fourth quarter, the supply - demand relationship of iron ore is slightly loose, but the support of steel mills' restocking on prices cannot be ignored. The price range of the 62% Platts Index is between $90 - $110. Be cautious about the price decline caused by steel mills' production cuts due to negative feedback from the bottom - up stage, which may occur from late October to early November. After mid - November, prices may be relatively strong as steel enterprises start winter storage [3][55]. - The global iron ore supply is estimated to decrease by about 5.95 million tons in the fourth quarter compared with the previous quarter, while the demand is expected to decrease by about 8.62 million tons [3][35]. 3. Summary by Directory Chapter 1: Ore Demand Side - Insufficient Domestic Demand and Limited External Demand 1.1 Domestic Demand: Weak Steel Demand and Decrease in Hot Metal Production in the Fourth Quarter - Downstream demand shows that building material demand is at a low level, plate demand is at a high level in the same period and remains resilient, and non - five major steel products perform moderately. From January to August, the cumulative year - on - year steel demand decreased slightly by 1.29%, and the growth rates of the three major investments continued to decline in August. In the fourth quarter, it is difficult to see a significant improvement in domestic steel demand [11]. - In the third quarter, the long - process profit was acceptable, and steel enterprises' production enthusiasm was high. The addition of scrap steel increased, and the output of five major steel products increased year - on - year. As raw material prices strengthened, the cost - effectiveness of hot metal compared with scrap steel decreased. According to the Steel Union's statistics, the estimated daily average hot metal output in the third quarter was 2.4005 million tons, with a quarterly total of 221 million tons. The estimated hot metal output in the fourth quarter is 217 million tons, a decrease of 4 million tons compared with the previous quarter, which means a reduction of 7.02 million tons in iron ore demand. The decline in hot metal production depends more on steel enterprises' profit adjustment, and production cuts may occur after November [19][20]. 1.2 Foreign Demand: Operating at a Low Level in the Range with a Decrease Quarter - on - Quarter - With the slowdown of inflation in major overseas economies and the opening of the interest - rate cut cycle, the economic vitality of major economies has been somewhat boosted. However, the manufacturing PMI has not returned above the boom - bust line, and the increase in overseas steel demand is limited [21]. - The steel production of countries outside China is generally stable. Japan and South Korea are gradually reducing their steel production capacity to deal with domestic over - capacity, and their pig iron production remains at a low level. European iron ore demand is generally weak. India's steel production capacity has been expanding in recent years, and pig iron production in Southeast Asia is also growing at a high rate. The total pig iron production outside China is expected to be 104 million tons in the fourth quarter, a decrease of about 1 million tons compared with the previous quarter, which means a reduction of 1.6 million tons in iron ore demand [29][33]. 1.3 Demand Summary - Domestically, the estimated iron ore demand will decrease by 7.02 million tons in the fourth quarter. Overseas, the estimated iron ore demand will decrease by 1.6 million tons. Overall, the global iron ore demand will decrease by about 8.62 million tons in the fourth quarter compared with the previous quarter [34][35]. Chapter 2: Ore Supply Side - No Increment Seen 2.1 Mainstream Mines in Australia and Brazil: Restocking Drives Shipping Volume to Surge in the Second Half - In Australia, the total iron ore shipping volume of the three major mines in the third quarter was 202 million tons, and it is expected to be about 204 million tons in the fourth quarter, an increase of 2 million tons compared with the previous quarter. In Brazil, Vale's shipping volume in the third quarter was lower than expected, and the increase in the fourth quarter is limited, with a total shipping volume of 75 million tons, a decrease of 3.15 million tons compared with the previous quarter. Overall, the total iron ore shipping volume of the four major mines in the fourth quarter will decrease by about 1.05 million tons compared with the previous quarter, but the shipping volume will increase in December due to winter storage restocking by domestic steel mills [38]. 2.2 Non - Mainstream Overseas Mines and Domestic Mines: Constrained by Costs and Generally Stable - In the third quarter, the iron ore price strengthened, and the shipping volume of non - mainstream mines was strong. In the fourth quarter, if domestic steel mills maintain the current production rhythm, the downward pressure on the ore price is relatively small, and the shipping volume of non - mainstream mines can still remain at a high level. If domestic steel enterprises cut production due to losses or policy requirements, the shipping volume of non - mainstream mines may decrease slightly. It is estimated that the shipping volume will be 134 million tons, a decrease of about 5 million tons compared with the previous quarter. - For domestic mines, the production of iron ore concentrate decreased slightly in the third quarter compared with the second quarter. Due to the same cost constraints as non - mainstream mines, the production is proportional to the price. It is estimated that the production of iron ore concentrate in the fourth quarter will be about 61.35 million tons, an increase of 100,000 tons compared with the previous quarter [43]. 2.3 Supply Side Summary - The total supply of global iron ore is estimated to decrease by about 5.95 million tons in the fourth quarter compared with the previous quarter [3][46]. Chapter 3: Ore Inventory Side - Double Increase in Inventory May Boost Ore Price - In terms of ports, the inventory of 45 ports at the end of the third quarter was 140 million tons, showing a slight inventory build - up in the quarter. In the fourth quarter, the supply - demand relationship of iron ore is statically neutral to slightly loose, and the inventory may show an overall build - up. - For steel mills, especially in the second half of the fourth quarter, they will gradually enter the stage of restocking imported ore, which will continuously support the ore price [51]. Chapter 4: Iron Ore Summary - Supply: The total supply of global iron ore is estimated to decrease by about 5.95 million tons in the fourth quarter compared with the previous quarter. - Demand: The global iron ore demand will decrease by about 8.62 million tons in the fourth quarter compared with the previous quarter. - Inventory: Port inventory may show an overall build - up, while steel mills' restocking of imported ore in the second half of the fourth quarter will support the ore price. Overall, the supply - demand relationship of iron ore in the fourth quarter is slightly loose, but the support of steel mills' restocking on prices cannot be ignored. The price range of the 62% Platts Index is between $90 - $110 [55].