关于铁矿石与钢铁市场发展、情绪变化及下半年展望的反馈-Metals & Mining_ Feedback on Iron Ore & Steel Market Developments, Sentiment Shifts, and 2H Outlook

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call on Metals & Mining Industry Overview - The conference call focused on the dynamics of the steel, iron ore, and metallurgical coal markets, highlighting current trends and future outlooks in these sectors [1] Steel Market Insights - Pre-emptive stocking and record long positioning earlier in the year, combined with weak demand from March to June, contributed to the underperformance of spot prices, which did not fully react to tariff hikes [2] - EU steel prices are at multi-year lows, but structural support and policy changes may limit further downside [2] - Inventories are normalizing, but prices remain below historical averages; tightness may emerge in the second half of the year [2] - Scrap markets are expected to recover due to substitution economics amid rising raw material costs [2] - US tariff exemptions are deemed unlikely due to complex compliance requirements, particularly concerning Chinese-origin steel [2] Iron Ore and Metallurgical Coal Insights - China's steel production remains robust, with mills operating above 90% capacity, driven by strong margins of $30-40 per ton [3] - The recent price rally in iron ore and steel is attributed more to sentiment and trader positioning rather than fundamentals [3] - Mills are restocking iron ore at higher prices, supported by healthy order books and margin confidence [3] - Steel demand is seasonally soft but remains flat year-over-year, with resilience in infrastructure and manufacturing offsetting weakness in the property sector [3] - A shift towards higher-grade ore is noted due to margin expansion and environmental restrictions [3] - The China Mineral Resources Group (CMRG) has been inactive during the recent price rally, which may affect market stability [3] US and EU Steel Price Dynamics - In the US, steel prices have moderated due to aggressive stocking ahead of anticipated tariffs, leading to a record long market [6] - EU prices have fallen to five-year lows due to ineffective safeguard duties and minimal import barriers [7] - The muted reaction in spot markets to tariff increases is attributed to weak demand across key sectors, with US domestic production up 8% year-to-date [8] Inventory and Demand Trends - US inventories have been drawn down and are close to the five-year average, but prices remain below average [9] - Recent weeks have seen service centers and fabricators begin drawing from stock, indicating a potential inflection point in demand [10] - Scrap prices in Turkey, the US, and the EU are at five-year lows, but a recovery is anticipated [13] Future Outlook - The commodities research team expects a more positive outlook for US hot-rolled coil (HRC) in 2026, supported by economic growth and increased end-use demand [15] - EU demand remains weak, but downside risk to prices appears limited, with potential support from fiscal expansions and tightening safeguard quotas [16] - China's steel demand is expected to remain flat year-over-year, with macro policy expectations and trader positioning playing significant roles in price dynamics [22] Additional Observations - A notable shift in mills' preference for high-grade iron ore is observed, driven by expanding steel margins and environmental considerations [25] - The degradation of Pilbara Blend fines has led to a discount in the premium market, which may impact pricing in the second half of the year [26] - China's National Energy Agency is inspecting potential overproduction among coal miners, which could lead to production cuts if oversupply persists [28]