China: Billet prices firm up d-o-d amid mild market recovery, cost pressures
- Chinese billet prices rose RMB 30/t ($4/t) d-o-d to RMB 2,940/t ($413/t); SHFE Jan'26 rebar gained RMB 13/t ($2/t) to RMB 3,037/t ($427/t).
- The market turned mildly positive amid better capital flow and speculative buying. Mills lifted base prices as futures rebounded.
- Exports to the Middle East and Africa were stable, and a third round of coke price hikes raised costs ahead of winter.