France Faces Long Road to Economic Rebalancing as Weak Demand and High Rates Weigh, Says Citi 
Japan Keeps Markets Guessing as Yen Nears 40-Year Low, Raising Intervention Risks 
Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
Japan, U.S. Discuss Yen Weakness as Currency Intervention Concerns Grow 
Canada, British Columbia Launch $5 Billion Infrastructure Partnership to Boost Housing, Transit, and Healthcare 
China’s AI Manufacturing Boom Masks Weak Consumer Economy, Citi Says 
Dollar Hits One-Month High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Boosts Greenback 
Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
US Stock Futures Recover as Iran Signals Progress in Peace Talks 
China Keeps Loan Prime Rates Unchanged for 13th Straight Month as Policymakers Prioritize Credit Demand Recovery 
U.S.-Iran Diplomacy Helps Drive Gasoline Prices Down 15% From May Highs 
Oil Prices Drop as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Supply Concerns 
BOJ Signals More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Price Pressures 
Trump Says No Hormuz Strait Tolls During 60-Day Iran Ceasefire 
Gold Prices Mixed as Stronger Dollar Offsets Safe-Haven Demand Amid U.S.-Iran Peace Talks 
Oil Prices Slide as U.S.-Iran Deal and Hormuz Reopening Ease Supply Concerns 
Gold Price Rises as Investors Weigh U.S.-Iran Talks and Fed Policy Outlook 
Iron ore futures in Dalian edged higher on Friday after nine consecutive losses but remained on track for a weekly decline due to concerns over China’s steel production cuts and escalating U.S.-China trade tensions.
The most-traded May iron ore contract on the Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) rose 0.65% to 777.5 yuan ($107.28) per metric ton by 0302 GMT but has dropped 3.12% this week. On the Singapore Exchange, the benchmark April contract inched up 0.14% to $100.5 per ton, marking a 1.89% weekly decline.
Investor sentiment improved as China introduced new fiscal stimulus measures to boost economic growth. This week’s annual parliament meeting hinted at additional policy support if growth falters. However, market uncertainty persists as Washington imposed an additional 20% tariff on Chinese goods, prompting retaliation from Beijing.
Concerns over China’s steel production cuts weigh on iron ore prices. While officials have not set specific targets, the restructuring of the steel sector is expected to increase iron ore supply, adding downward pressure. Despite this, China’s daily steel output jumped 13% in February, with crude steel production rising 5%, according to the China Iron and Steel Association.
Other steelmaking ingredients saw gains, with coking coal and coke rising 1.88% and 1.01%, respectively. Steel benchmarks on the Shanghai Futures Exchange showed mixed movement, with wire rod up 0.2% and stainless steel gaining 0.75%, while rebar fell 0.12% and hot-rolled coil slipped 0.15%.
Traders remain cautious as they weigh China’s economic policies against global trade uncertainties, with iron ore prices struggling to maintain momentum amid shifting market dynamics.
