Iron Ore, Copper, Equities, Mint Finance

Umang Agrawal

Iron Ore, Copper, Equities

Deep Fundamental Analysis

Mint Finance

Mint Finance's investment research blends deep fundamental analysis with technical & quant insights. Investment strategies straddle across multiple asset classes with risk management embedded into every trade to deliver an outsized reward-to-risk ratio.

Mint Finance's research is centered around three key themes. First, energy transition and climate change. Second, artificial intelligence. Third, shifting world order with its impact across politics and monetary economics.

Commodities

<ul>
<li>China’s steel market is facing an unusually early seasonal slowdown, with weak construction demand, softer mill activity and worsening weather conditions weighing heavily on steel and iron ore sentiment.</li>
<li>Heavy put positioning continues to defend the $100/ton level, while aggressive call buildup at 105 signals growing rebound expectations.</li>
<li>China’s tougher stance on iron ore negotiations is pushing Australian miners to seek government backing and rethink export coordination strategies.</li>
</ul>


China’s steel market is facing an unusually early seasonal slowdown, with weak construction demand, softer mill activity and worsening weather conditions weighing heavily on steel and iron ore sentiment.
Heavy put positioning continues to defend the $100/ton level, while aggressive call buildup at 105 signals growing rebound expectations.
China’s tougher stance on iron ore negotiations is pushing Australian miners to seek government backing and rethink export coordination strategies.


Iron Ore Nears Pivotal $100 Level While August Recovery Bets Accelerate

<ul>
<li>Iron ore prices struggled to sustain early-May gains as deteriorating steel margins, softer downstream demand, and rising shipments weighed on market sentiment.</li>
<li>Rising skew across near-dated expiries points to growing demand for downside protection despite overall implied volatility softening toward month-end.</li>
<li>Seasonal trends suggest iron ore prices would typically lose momentum after May, but delays in resolving the Middle East conflict could keep volatility elevated.</li>
</ul>


Iron ore prices struggled to sustain early-May gains as deteriorating steel margins, softer downstream demand, and rising shipments weighed on market sentiment.
Rising skew across near-dated expiries points to growing demand for downside protection despite overall implied volatility softening toward month-end.
Seasonal trends suggest iron ore prices would typically lose momentum after May, but delays in resolving the Middle East conflict could keep volatility elevated.


Iron Ore Monthly Derivatives Chartbook (May 2026)

Asia Pac ECM and Index Rebal, Shenton Research

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Asia Pac ECM and Index Rebal

Asia Pac IPO & Placement Research, China Biotech

Shenton Research

Shenton Research is an independent Asia Pacific equity specialist. Our quantitative research covers index rebalancing flows, alongside exchange data analytics accross Asia Pacific. On the equity capital markets side, we focus on Asia Pacific ECM, especially biotech and TMT. Our lead analyst is frequently cited by international media.

Quantitative Analysis

<ul>
<li>We analyzed the changes in short interest of ASX Stocks as of Oct 2nd (reported today). The aggregated short interest was USD50.5bn.</li>
<li>We tabulate league tables for top short by value and short as multiple of ADT, as well as weekly increases &amp; decreases in short value, short as multiple of ADT.</li>
<li>We highlight short interest changes in Northern Star Resources, Alcoa, Wesfarmers, Brambles, Suncorp.</li>
</ul>


We analyzed the changes in short interest of ASX Stocks as of Oct 2nd (reported today). The aggregated short interest was USD50.5bn.
We tabulate league tables for top short by value and short as multiple of ADT, as well as weekly increases &amp; decreases in short value, short as multiple of ADT.
We highlight short interest changes in Northern Star Resources, Alcoa, Wesfarmers, Brambles, Suncorp.


ASX Short Interest Weekly (Oct 2nd): Northern Star Resources, Alcoa, Wesfarmers, Brambles, Suncorp

<ul>
<li>Rising seaborne supply and weak Chinese steel margins dragged iron ore lower, though resilient blast furnace activity continue to offer support.</li>
<li>BHP slows Pilbara decarbonisation while Fortescue accelerates ahead, highlighting a widening divide in Australia’s iron ore transition strategy.</li>
<li>Iron ore’s downtrend remains intact after a bearish crossover, though prices nearing key support could trigger a short-term rebound attempt.</li>
</ul>


Rising seaborne supply and weak Chinese steel margins dragged iron ore lower, though resilient blast furnace activity continue to offer support.
BHP slows Pilbara decarbonisation while Fortescue accelerates ahead, highlighting a widening divide in Australia’s iron ore transition strategy.
Iron ore’s downtrend remains intact after a bearish crossover, though prices nearing key support could trigger a short-term rebound attempt.


Iron Ore Sentiment Stays Fragile but a Key Technical Support Is Cushioning the Pullback

<ul>
<li>Rising Chinese port arrivals and softer steel production continue to weigh on iron ore fundamentals despite resilient hot metal output.</li>
<li>Iron ore’s recent rally is increasingly losing technical conviction, with momentum indicators now aligning toward a more defensive near-term setup.</li>
<li>Managed money participants remain selectively bullish on iron ore, though persistent short buildup highlights lingering caution around China demand and market volatility.</li>
</ul>


Rising Chinese port arrivals and softer steel production continue to weigh on iron ore fundamentals despite resilient hot metal output.
Iron ore’s recent rally is increasingly losing technical conviction, with momentum indicators now aligning toward a more defensive near-term setup.
Managed money participants remain selectively bullish on iron ore, though persistent short buildup highlights lingering caution around China demand and market volatility.


Rebuilding Supply-Side Pressure Is Strengthening Bearish Conviction in Iron Ore

Australia

Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. explores for and produces iron ore. The Company conducts business worldwide.

Price Gauge
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Fortescue Metals (FMG AU)

Iron Ore Nears Pivotal $100 Level While August Recovery Bets Accelerate

Options positioning suggests iron ore markets are bracing for near-term stress while cautiously rebuilding recovery expectations into August.

Mint Finance

Iron Ore Monthly Derivatives Chartbook (May 2026)

Implied volatility retreated into month-end, though persistent demand for higher-strike calls suggests upside risk concerns have not fully faded.

Mint Finance

ASX Short Interest Weekly (Oct 2nd): Northern Star Resources, Alcoa, Wesfarmers, Brambles, Suncorp

We analyzed ASX short interest report for the past week and highlight short interest changes in Northern Star Resources, Alcoa, Wesfarmers,...

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Iron Ore Sentiment Stays Fragile but a Key Technical Support Is Cushioning the Pullback

Iron ore markets remain under pressure from rising seaborne supply and weak Chinese steel margins, while technical indicators continue to point...

Mint Finance

Rebuilding Supply-Side Pressure Is Strengthening Bearish Conviction in Iron Ore

Chinese port arrivals and softer steel production are impacting iron ore fundamentals, with a recent rally losing technical conviction.

Mint Finance

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Iron Ore Nears Pivotal $100 Level While August Recovery Bets Accelerate

Options positioning suggests iron ore markets are bracing for near-term stress while cautiously rebuilding recovery expectations into August.

Mint Finance

Iron Ore Monthly Derivatives Chartbook (May 2026)

Implied volatility retreated into month-end, though persistent demand for higher-strike calls suggests upside risk concerns have not fully faded.

Mint Finance

ASX Short Interest Weekly (Oct 2nd): Northern Star Resources, Alcoa, Wesfarmers, Brambles, Suncorp

We analyzed ASX short interest report for the past week and highlight short interest changes in Northern Star Resources, Alcoa, Wesfarmers,...

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Iron Ore Sentiment Stays Fragile but a Key Technical Support Is Cushioning the Pullback

Iron ore markets remain under pressure from rising seaborne supply and weak Chinese steel margins, while technical indicators continue to point...

Mint Finance

Rebuilding Supply-Side Pressure Is Strengthening Bearish Conviction in Iron Ore

​Chinese port arrivals and softer steel production are impacting iron ore fundamentals, with a recent rally losing technical conviction.

Mint Finance

Chinese port arrivals and softer steel production are impacting iron ore fundamentals, with a recent rally losing technical conviction.