Report Summary 1) Report Industry Investment Rating No relevant content provided. 2) Core Viewpoints of the Report - The iron ore market shows an overall trend of gradual strengthening. The futures contract presents a back structure and positive basis, with the futures price at a discount, resulting in a short - term resonance between the futures and the spot market [1][5]. - The iron ore price is supported by the expected resumption of blast furnaces in January, the recovery of molten iron, and pre - holiday restocking, but attention should be paid to the significant fluctuations in the sentiment of the commodity market [2]. 3) Summary by Relevant Catalogs Market行情态势回顾 - **Futures Price**: The main contract of iron ore futures fluctuated and strengthened slightly during the day, closing at 797 yuan/ton, up 7.5 yuan/ton or 0.95% from the previous trading day's closing price. The trading volume was 195,000 lots, the open interest increased by 25,000 lots to 619,000 lots, and the settled funds were 10.85 billion yuan. The disk price remained in a slightly strong oscillating state [1]. - **Spot Price**: The mainstream varieties of port spot goods, such as PB powder at Qingdao Port, remained unchanged at 808 yuan/ton, and Super Special powder remained unchanged at 685 yuan/ton. The main swap contract was at 105.4 (+0.95) US dollars/ton. The swap price showed a strong upward breakthrough, and the spot market oscillated slightly stronger [1]. - **Basis and Spread**: The price of PB powder at Qingdao Port converted to the futures price was 836.8 yuan/ton, with a basis of 39.8 yuan/ton, and the basis narrowed slightly. The spread between Iron Ore 1 - 5 was 17.5 yuan, and the spread between Iron Ore 5 - 9 was 22 yuan. The iron ore futures contracts presented a back structure and positive basis, with certain support below the futures price, continuing the trend of gradual strengthening [1]. Fundamental Analysis - **Supply**: The supply side was relatively stable, with the year - end rush for volume completed. Attention should be paid to the weather disturbances in the first quarter [2]. - **Demand**: The sample molten iron production increased month - on - month, the profitability rate improved slightly. There was an expectation of blast furnace复产 in January, and steel mills' restocking had gradually started, but the overall pace was still slow. Attention should be paid to the recovery height of molten iron before the holiday and the release rhythm of restocking demand [2]. - **Inventory**: Port inventories continued to accumulate, and steel mills' inventories increased slightly month - on - month but were still at a relatively low level year - on - year. The game for year - end restocking was intense, and the overall inventory pressure was building up [2]. Macroeconomic Analysis - **Domestic**: The manufacturing PMI in December reached 50.1%, returning to the expansion range for the first time since April, significantly exceeding seasonal expectations and market expectations. The core driver was the simultaneous recovery of both supply and demand. The price side showed that the anti - involution policy was crucial for price stabilization and recovery. The construction industry PMI also rebounded significantly due to weather and construction progress factors. In the future, attention should be paid to the support of ultra - long - term special treasury bond funds and the rhythm of subsequent fiscal policies [4]. - **Overseas**: In the short term, the key focus was on the candidate for the next Federal Reserve Chairman and the announcement time. Currently, Hassett had a high呼声. If the announcement time was advanced, it might be beneficial for non - ferrous metals, but there were still negative factors such as the adjustment of commodity index parameters and the increase of margins. The silver market was intertwined with long and short factors, and an overall low - buying strategy was maintained [4].