在中國再次推出降息舉措后,煉鋼重要原料鐵礦石價格在最近的這輪激動人心的漲勢中繼續(xù)攀升。中國這次降息是6個月內第三次降息,試圖進一步支撐其放緩的經(jīng)濟。
根據(jù)鋼鐵指數(shù)公司(The Steel Index)的價格評估,即期中國到岸澳大利亞基準鐵礦石價格周一上漲2美元,達到每噸62.5美元,漲幅3%。自4月初鐵礦石跌至每噸46.7美元的6年半內最低點以來,如今鐵礦石價格已激增近35%。
中國是海運鐵礦石的最大消費國,其購買量占全球供應量的比例約為三分之二。最近這次降息應該會降低借貸成本,減輕中國負債累累的鋼鐵制造商的壓力。
中國港口庫存的下滑、以及近期煉鋼廠在夏季需求高峰期前大舉買入的行為,是鐵礦石價格近期復蘇的主要推動因素。
此外,在四大海運鐵礦石生產(chǎn)商中,必和必拓(BHP Billiton)、Fortescue metals Group及淡水河谷(Vale)這三家都曾暗示,它們可能會愿意調整鐵礦石產(chǎn)量。最近幾年,鐵礦石產(chǎn)量已急劇增長,超過了已然減弱的需求。
不過,許多分析師預計,除非中國需求回升或主要生產(chǎn)商真正致力于降低供應量,這輪復蘇行情不會持續(xù)下去,鐵礦石價格將會下跌。(中國進出口網(wǎng))
Iron ore, the key ingredient in steelmaking, has extended its recent breathtaking rally after China cut interest rates for a third time in six months in a further attempt to shore up its slowing economy.
Benchmark Australian ore for immediate delivery into China rose $2, or 3 per cent, to $62.50 a tonne on Monday, according to a price assessment from The Steel Index. Iron ore has now surged almost 35 per cent since sinking to a six and a half year low of $46.70 in early April.
China is the biggest consumer of seaborne iron ore, purchasing around two-thirds of the world’s supplies. The latest rate cut should lower borrowing costs and ease the pressure on the country’s heavily indebted steelmakers.
A decline in Chinese ports stocks and a late buying spree by steel mills restocking ahead of the peak summer demand period have been the key drivers of the recent recovery in iron ore prices.
In addition, three of the four largest seaborne producers — BHP Billiton, Fortescue metals Group and Vale — have all suggested they might be willing to adjust production volumes, which have surged in recent years and overwhelmed weaker demand.
However, many analysts do not expect the recovery to last and believe prices will fall unless Chinese demand picks up or there is a real commitment to cut supply on the part of major producers.