Chinese steel market sentiment turned on a dime in June and sent prices of both steel and iron ore soaring at the end of the month. Support for local government spending and increasing restrictions on production sent steel prices sharply higher, while iron ore hit new highs as port stocks …

As China’s steel market peaks, mills are caught between rising raw materials prices and falling steel prices. Because they are still profitable however, they are still producing at high rates. Unless production falls or demand is stronger than expected, inventories will increase, prices fall and exports become more competitive.

The …

China took a more modest tone in its latest Belt and Road Forum, bringing it into line with most estimates of the steel industry which have rejected the very bullish outlook of some miners. Kallanish takes the opportunity to set out its view, alongside its count of new steelmaking capacity …

China is continuing to issue measures to ease the burden on corporations but it remains to be seen if this is enough to support growth. Steelmakers hope to capture margin from the latest cut to VAT, but they may have more success at home than for exports.

Mill profits meanwhile …