Iron ore prices slipped for a fourth straight session in Singapore, marking the longest losing streak since late January. The benchmark contract hovered around $107 a ton, touching a two‑week low as traders digested fresh data on China’s slowing economy. Weakening steel demand in the world’s biggest consumer sparked the sell‑off. Traders anticipate further volatility in the coming days.

April figures released on Monday showed Chinese investment contracting across manufacturing, infrastructure and energy sectors, reinforcing fears of reduced furnace utilisation. With global energy prices still volatile, Chinese steelmakers face tighter margins, prompting exporters to trim output. The price dip adds pressure on mining firms that rely heavily on Chinese contracts, potentially compressing profit forecasts for the next quarter. Supply chains may also feel the ripple.

Analysts warn that if demand weakness persists, iron‑ore benchmarks could test the $100 barrier, a level that would strain cash‑flow for producers such as Rio Tinto and BHP. Investors are likely to re‑price exposure to Chinese steel cycles, shifting capital toward commodities with more diversified end‑users. The market now weighs whether the slowdown is a blip or a structural shift. Creditors are already tightening terms.