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Forecasts and market analysis based on price assessments from Fastmarkets MB and Fastmarkets AMM

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April 2014 | Steel Raw Materials


Prospects improve for the Chinese domestic market: Coke and Coking Coal Highlights


A strong pick-up in orders from the Chinese construction industry encourages steel mills to consider higher production run rates.

Despite the contractionary HSBC flash Chinese Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) reading of 48.1 for March, the official PMI of 50.3 shows that the economy appears to be rebounding from its cyclical downturn. Seasonal demand for steel products too is beginning to show signs of a revival.

There has been a strong pick-up in orders from the construction industry, encouraging steel mills to consider higher production run rates. In addition, it is likely that the government will boost the economy, following disappointing economic data during the first quarter. China's Premier Li Keqiang has indicated that Beijing will be ready to give support by focusing on policy action and infrastructure investment.

Enforcing the notion that steel producers are recognising better conditions, data from China Iron...

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