Trading activity remained lackluster in the physical iron ore market on Thursday March 1 despite a slight increase in prices.
Key driversChina's steel and iron ore futures rose slightly from their values a day earlier, while spot rebar and hot-rolled coil prices performed better in comparison, increasing by 10-60 yuan ($1.60-9.50) per tonne.Iron ore prices - at Chinese ports and in the seaborne market - picked up as well though buying interest stayed somewhat subdued, according to sources.Premiums for index-linked seaborne iron ore cargoes remained weak.Half a Capesize cargo of Newman fines with a mid-March laycan was heard to have changed hands against a 62% Fe index at a premium of $1.80 per tonne, compared with traded levels of index plus $2.50 per tonne before the Chinese New Year break.March-arrival joint cargoes of Pilbara...