US integrated steelmaker Cleveland-Cliffs has increased its flat steel prices by $100/short ton (st), targeting a minimum hot-rolled coil (HRC) price of $1,200/st.

The Argus US plate ex-works assessment has been relatively flat at around $1,480/st since early December.

Indian private-sector producer JSW Steel's crude steel output rose by 10pc from a year earlier to 1.73mn t.

The plant will use biogas feedstock and iron ore as a catalyst to also produce 380 t/yr of graphitic carbon, he said.

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.

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.

"China's statement to actively seek CPTPP membership illustrates its attitude and determination to expand its opening-up," Gu said.