U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
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Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
Fed Meeting Sparks Division as Markets Brace for Possible Rate Cut 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Austria’s AA Credit Rating Affirmed as Fitch Highlights Stable Outlook 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
China’s iron ore imports dropped in May, falling 4.9% from April to 98.13 million metric tons, according to data from the General Administration of Customs. The figure missed analyst forecasts of over 100 million tons and marked a decline from 103.14 million tons in April and 102.03 million tons a year ago.
Weaker imports were driven by subdued demand from steel mills anticipating a seasonal slowdown in steel consumption. Some producers turned to domestic portside inventories, which offered cheaper and more abundant supplies. As a result, portside iron ore inventories dropped 2.8% month-on-month to 133 million tons by May 30, the lowest level since February 2024.
Analysts also attributed the lower import volume to customs clearance timing. Some shipments were processed earlier due to the May Day holiday, artificially boosting April figures and dragging down May totals.
Despite the dip, May’s iron ore volumes remained relatively strong as mills restocked amid falling inventories. For the first five months of 2025, China imported 486.41 million tons of iron ore, down 5.2% year-on-year.
Meanwhile, China’s steel product exports surged to a seven-month high in May, totaling 10.58 million tons—up 1.15% from April and 9.87% year-on-year. This marks the third consecutive month exports exceeded 10 million tons, fueled by front-loaded shipments amid tariff hike concerns. Cumulative exports in the January–May period rose 8.9% to 48.47 million tons, a record for the timeframe.
In contrast, steel imports fell 24.5% year-on-year in May to 481,000 tons. Total imports for the first five months declined 16.1% to 2.55 million tons, underscoring weaker domestic demand for foreign steel.
