Demand has remained steadier for longer than the market had expected, with talk of a recession pushing further out into the year and lessening in severity.

US steelmaker Evraz North America has increased its prices for flat steel products.

China is taking fresh measures to deter hoarding of iron-ore in a bid to cool a surge in prices of the key steel-making material.

Mexico’s construction sector contracted 1.0% in January from December, statistics office Inegi said.

Vietnam will ramp up the use of coal and gas sources and mobilize renewable sources to ensure sufficient supply of electricity for the Southeast Asian country as the demand is projected to increase in 2023, local media reported on Thursday.

The decrease expanded by 0.6 percentage points from that registered in January. On a monthly basis, China's PPI remained flat in February, according to the bureau.

"That will turn into snow in parts of Wales, the Midlands, and the south Pennines as we go into the evening."

China will take more steps to stabilize industrial growth with a focus on key industries and areas.