China: Billet,SHFE rebar decline on weak cost support

  • Chinese billet prices fell by RMB 10/t ($7/t) d-o-d to RMB 2,940/t ($416/t)  on 9 Dec, while SHFE rebar fell by RMB 31/t ($4/t, 1%) d-o-d to RMB 3,052/t ($432/t).
  • Weak cost support and a sharp decline in coke prices pressured finished steel prices, with limited speculative buying.
  • Export sentiment also softened as major mills cut bases by $8/t, keeping overall market mood subdued.