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 at its intraday low on the last trading day of January, echoing the negative performance of regional bourses and poor global market sentiment. At 5pm on Tuesday (Jan 31), the benchmark FBM KLCI had given up 13.89 points or 0.93% to 1,485.50, from Monday's close at 1,499.39. It opened 5.60 points lower at 1,493.79, and moved between 1,485.50 and 1,493.89 throughout the day. Market breadth was negative, with losers thumping gainers 632 to 325, while 389 counters were unchanged, 861 untraded, and 45 others suspended. Turnover shrank to 4.03 billion units worth RM2.78 billion, against Monday's 4.56 billion units worth RM2.44 billion. Commenting on Tuesday's market performance, Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said the KLCI closed lower in tandem with the negative performance of regional bourses. “Key regional indices closed lower wi...