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 (April 29): Bursa Malaysia ended slightly higher in volatile trading on Friday (April 29), boosted by continued buying support in selected heavyweight counters such as gaming, oil and gas, as well as plantation stocks. The benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) climbed 3.12 points, or 0.2%, to 1,600.43 from Thursday’s close of 1,597.31. The benchmark index opened 4.71 points higher at 1,602.02 and moved between 1,595.78 and 1,605.02 throughout the day. On the broader market, gainers outpaced decliners 566 to 390, while 448 counters were unchanged, 884 untraded, and 67 others suspended. Total turnover rose to 2.81 billion units worth RM2.07 billion from 2.48 billion units worth RM2.19 billion on Thursday. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said key regional markets maintained their uptrend on the strong buying of technology stocks following big gains on Nasdaq overnight. As for the local bourse, the 1,600 psycholog...