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China’s steel production jumps 10 million tonnes

China’s steel production jumps 10 million tonnes

According to the World Steel Association, global production for the March Quarter 2016 was 385.7 million tonnes, down 3.6 per cent year on year from 400.3 million tonnes.  China’s production for the March Quarter 2016 was 192.0 million tonnes, down 3.2 per cent year on year from 198.4 million tonnes.

What is interesting though is China’s monthly average production for January and February 2016 was 60.7 million tonnes, while for March 2016 it was 70.7 million tonnes, up 10 million tonnes in one month!

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China appears to be on a collision course with the world’s leading powers over excess steel output.  The US, Japan and the EU (collectively produced 31.2 million tonnes of steel in March 2016, or 44 per cent of China’s output) have agreed to joint steps at a special OECD summit.  While the US has imposed penalties of 266 per cent on Chinese cold-rolled steel, the EU has acted more slowly and stopped at 13 per cent, but that mood seems to be shifting.

The Communist Party, fearing political protests, has done everything to recently boost China’s fixed asset investment.  Property new starts, for example, jumped 27 per cent year on year in March 2016.  Another wave of new starts however doesn’t help to resolve the issue of new housing inventory or the strongly rising private sector debt to GDP ratio.

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Chief Executive Officer of Montgomery Investment Management, David Buckland has over 30 years of industry experience. David is a deeply knowledgeable and highly experienced financial services executive. Prior to joining Montgomery in 2012, David was CEO and Executive Director of Hunter Hall for 11 years, as well as a Director at JP Morgan in Sydney and London for eight years.

This post was contributed by a representative of Montgomery Investment Management Pty Limited (AFSL No. 354564). The principal purpose of this post is to provide factual information and not provide financial product advice. Additionally, the information provided is not intended to provide any recommendation or opinion about any financial product. Any commentary and statements of opinion however may contain general advice only that is prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial circumstances or needs. Because of this, before acting on any of the information provided, you should always consider its appropriateness in light of your personal objectives, financial circumstances and needs and should consider seeking independent advice from a financial advisor if necessary before making any decisions. This post specifically excludes personal advice.

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