PRICING NOTICE: Proposal to increase frequency of iron ore value-in-use indices

Fastmarkets proposes to change the frequency of its iron ore value-in-use indices from weekly to daily.

Fastmarkets’ iron ore value-in-use adjustments for iron, silica, alumina and phosphorus are currently weekly indices with a data inclusion cut-off time each Friday at 6pm Singapore local time, and a publication time each Monday at 6.30pm Singapore local time. The chemistry adjustments represent the market-implied value of individual chemistries, calculated from a regression-based analysis of the previous week’s transaction and non-transaction data.

Fastmarkets proposes to increase the publication frequency of its value-in-use indices to daily. They will be calculated and updated every Monday based on a regression analysis using the previous week’s data, before remaining flat from Tuesday to Friday. The proposed daily publication will make it easier for market participants to apply the value-in-use indices to Fastmarkets’ other daily indices. The unchanged calculation method will ensure sufficient liquidity and data points remain for a robust regression-based analysis.

The proposed increase in frequency will be applicable to following indices:

  • Iron ore 62% Fe fines, % Fe VIU, cfr Qingdao, $/tonne MB-IRO-0018
  • Iron ore 65% Fe fines, % Fe VIU, cfr Qingdao, $/tonne MB-IRO-0019
  • Iron ore 62% Fe fines, % Si VIU, cfr Qingdao, $/tonne MB-IRO-0020
  • Iron ore 62% Fe fines, % Al2O3 VIU, cfr Qingdao, $/tonne MB-IRO-0021
  • Iron ore 62% Fe fines, 0.01% P VIU, cfr Qingdao, $/tonne MB-IRO-0024

The consultation period for this proposed frequency increase starts from Monday September 13 and will end on Friday October 29. The change will take place, subject to market feedback, on Monday November 1.

To provide feedback on the content of the proposal, or if you would like to provide price information by becoming a data submitter to this price, please email pricing@fastmarkets.com. Please add the subject heading FAO: Jane Fan, re: Iron Ore Value-in-Use indices.”

To see all of Fastmarkets’ pricing methodology and specification documents, go to https://www.fastmarkets.com/about-us/methodology.

What to read next
The use of green hydrogen to produce direct-reduced iron (DRI) is set to transform the steelmaking industry, an executive from Ferrexpo has said
Chinese domestic authorities are in discussions to implement tighter targets on crude steel production across the country, in a bid to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, Fastmarkets understands
The publication of Fastmarkets’ MB-IRO-0186 iron ore DR grade pellet premium indicator for Wednesday June 12 was delayed due to an error in the review process.
A “special action plan for carbon reduction” unveiled by China's National Development & Reform Commission (NDRC) will reduce the need for coking coal and iron ore by focusing on upgrading existing equipment and the switch to electric-arc furnaces, sources told Fastmarkets this week
Fastmarkets has corrected its MB-IRO-0190 Iron ore spot 67.5% Fe magnetite-hematite pellet feed price differential, cfr Qingdao, $/tonne, which was published incorrectly on Monday May 13.
The iron ore market is expected to diverge into two segments in line with the steelmaking industry’s march toward reducing carbon emissions, Fastmarkets learned at the 2024 Singapore Iron Ore Forum (SIOF) on Tuesday May 7