China’s steel market is not collapsing despite the property downturn. Instead, demand is stabilising at a lower level as manufacturing, exports and new energy sectors gradually replace construction-driven demand. This is not a demand collapse, it’s a structural shift from property to industrial and export-driven demand. What’s Really Happening The sharp drop in construction activity has clearly hurt steel demand: Property-related steel (like rebar) has fallen significantly Construction’s share of demand is shrinking But the broader market tells a different story: Total steel demand is only slightly below past peaks Manufacturing, shipbuilding and energy transition sectors are absorbing demand Exports are acting as a key buffer Instead of a sudden crash, the industry is entering a long plateau . Why This Matters The market had expected a sharp collapse but reality is more gradual: Demand is declining slowly, not falling off a cliff China is shifting from construction-led growth to ...
KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 31): Bursa Malaysia ended its half-day trading session on Monday (Jan 31) mixed as investors remained on the sidelines ahead of the Chinese New Year celebrations, an analyst said. At 12.30pm, the benchmark FBM KLCI settled down 0.51% or 7.75 points at 1,512.27 from 1,520.02 at last Friday's close. The key index, which opened 0.3 of a point lower at 1,519.72, moved between 1,512.27 and 1,523.63 during the session. Overall market breadth was positive with gainers outpacing losers 452 to 324, while 372 counters were unchanged, 1,100 untraded, and 52 others suspended. Total turnover declined to 1.21 billion units valued at RM1.09 billion versus the two billion units worth RM1.54 billion recorded for last Friday’s full-day session. A dealer said among the indices, the plantation index dropped 114.64 points to 6,535.47, mainly dragged by Sime Darby Plantation Bhd (SDP). Last Friday, the US Customs and Border Protect...