China: Billet prices steady; SHFE rebar edges up amid holiday lull

  • Chinese billet prices stayed unchanged d-o-d at RMB 2,920/t ($421/t) on 3 Feb’26, while SHFE rebar futures edged up by RMB 3/t ($0.43/t) to RMB 3,090/t ($445/t).
  • Pre-holiday sentiment curtailed spot activity, but limited arrivals and mills adjusting production plans supported prices.
  • Meanwhile, rising iron ore and coke costs, along with firmer export prices aided by exchange rates, helped offset weak domestic demand, preventing sharper downside ahead of the holiday lull.