China's major steel companies saw their profitability down in the first eight months, the latest data showed.

Ferrosilicon 75B tender volumes & price of Sangang Group in Jan-Oct, 2020.

Japan's import of ferrosilicon (silicon content > 55%) was 12277.901 tons, down 42.51% month on month and 65.4% year-on-year.

A reading above 50 indicates expansion, while a reading below reflects contraction.

Some 90 tonnes were produced in the third quarter, taking the nine-month tally to 188 tonnes

The rise in steel output was mostly due to increased demand, thanks to China's strong economic recovery.

China has over 110 million 5G users and is expected to have more than 600,000 5G base stations by the end of this year.

In September, the sub-index for production stood at 54, up 0.5 points month on month, while that for new orders rose 0.8 points to 52.8.