China went on an unexpectedly big buying spree for crude oil, coal and iron ore last month, customs data showed on Thursday, even as Beijing cools its overheated property market and concerns linger about the health of the world’s No. 2 economy.
Daily crude imports hit an all-time high as the nation again overtook the United States as the world’s top oil consumer, while iron ore imports were the second highest on record, propelling Shanghai rebar steel futures to five-week highs.
Coal and soybean purchases were just below August’s total, but were better than analysts had expected.
Copper bucked the trend, with imports falling by more than a quarter to their lowest in over a year, the latest sign of waning appetite as local supplies remained plentiful.
The commodities data contrasted with overall statistics which showed imports unexpectedly shrank, stirring concerns that the steadying of the economy may be short-lived.
via Reuters
