The start of winter restrictions has sent steel prices higher, especially for rebar, and iron ore has followed in hot pursuit, as we describe in our markets section. Now however, attention is turning from winter to the coming year. Ahead of an end-year round-up and more detailed predictions in the …

Chinese president Xi Jinping has dominated headlines as well as the Chinese Communist Party this October. In economic terms supply side reform is the key policy and now constitutionally required for party members. What that means depends on the details of policies over the coming year. But in this issue …

China’s futures triggered a sudden drop in prices last month but now the market is turning back to fundamentals. With the next peak demand season upon us however, restrictions on both industrial output and steel consuming sectors have put market balance in doubt.

China’s steel markets gained strength again in August, sending spot prices higher and boosting confidence. This strength is causing two separate issues, weak exports and increased futures trading. Higher futures prices have now prompted curbs on speculators, sending ferrous futures markets into confusion. Ironically, attempts to reduce the risk of …