IO Weekly Technicals Review [2024/51]: Bearish Trend StrengthensSGX TSI Iron Ore CFR China (62% Fe Fines) Index Futures (“SGX IO Futures”) fell last week, closing USD 3.82/ton lower by 20/Dec (Fri).
SGX IO Futures opened at USD 104.45/ton on 16/Dec (Mon) and closed at USD 100.63/ton on 20/Dec (Fri).
Prices briefly touched a weekly high of USD 105.80/ton on 17/Dec (Tue) and a low of USD 99.80/ton on 20/Dec (Fri). It traded in a range of USD 6/ton during the week, which was wider than the prior week.
Prices tested the pivot point of USD 104.60/ton at the start of the week and closed below the S1 point of USD 101.85/ton.
Volume peaked on 19/Dec (Thu), as iron ore prices declined by 0.9%, as the PBoC kept its loan prime rates unchanged.
Iron Ore Fundamentals in Summary
Iron ore prices declined for the week ending 20/Dec, following the PBoC's decision to keep loan prime rates unchanged on 19/Dec.
Earlier optimism over China’s 2025 monetary policy easing plans faded after the rate pause dampened market sentiment.
Australia’s Department of Industry, Science and Resources said in a quarterly outlook that iron ore prices will average USD 80/ton in 2025 and then drop to USD 76/ton in 2026.
With the US dollar touching a two-year high, Iron Ore prices are turning bearish with markets awaiting China’s next move to support its economy.
China's port iron ore stockpiles inched up 0.01% to 145.85 million tons in the week ending 20/Dec, according to MMI data .
Based on seasonality, SGX IO Futures Jan contract traded 18.8% below its last 5-year average (USD 123.99/ton).
Short-Term Moving Averages Indicate Reversal in Bullish Trend
The 9-day moving average crossed the 21-day moving average from above, culminating in a death cross on 20/Dec (Fri). This signals the potential onset of a bearish trend.
Long-Term Averages Signal Potential Beginning of a Bearish Trend
IO prices tested the 200-d SMA at the start of the week but sharply fell, closing below the 100-d SMA by the end of the week. This indicates the beginning of a bearish trend as prices fell below both the long-term moving averages.
MACD Points to Growing Bearishness, RSI Inches Towards Oversold Territory
The MACD indicates a growing bearish sentiment starting from 18/Dec. Meanwhile, the RSI is at 40.60 and is inching towards oversold territory treading below the midpoint, while the RSI-based moving average is at 51.90.
Volatility Inched Down, Price Closed Below 23.6% Fibonacci Level
Volatility declined moderately last week. Prices tested the 50% Fibonacci level at USD 105.4/ton at the start of the week but quickly declined in the week to close below the 23.6% Fibonacci level at USD 100.35/ton. Going forward, the 23.6% Fibonacci level will act as resistance while the 38.2% level at USD 103.15/ton will act as the support.
Selling Pressure Intensified, Price Trading at Low Volume Nodes
Selling pressure continues to dominate and has grown stronger since the start of December, according to the Accumulation/Distribution (A/D) indicator. The price is trading at a relatively low-volume node. Price also closed the week below the lower Bollinger Band.
Iron Ore Prices Likely to Fall in December Despite Seasonality
Iron ore prices generally increase in December due to seasonal patterns that prompt restocking in anticipation of China's Lunar New Year, driven by higher demand for steel production. However, it looks like in December 2024, prices will likely decline.
IO Futures Only Aggregate Exposure
Financial Institutions (FIs) and Managed money are net long with 124.7k and 26.6k lots across all futures expiries. Physical market participants and Others are net short with 110.1k and 41.2k lots across all futures expiries. Overall futures open interest as of 13th Dec 2024 stood at 1,259,936 lots.
Source: SGX
IO Futures & Options Aggregate Exposure
Financial Institutions (FIs) and Managed money are net long with 121.5k and 37.1k lots across all futures & options expiries. Physical market participants and Others are net short with 117.6k and 41k lots across all futures & options expiries. Overall futures & options open interest as of 13th Dec 2024 stood at 1,565,080 lots.
Source: SGX
Historical Futures Aggregate Exposure by Market Participants
Physical participants have switched from net long to net short over the last quarter. Managed Money has shifted from net short to net long. Financial Institutions continue to hold net long positions since the second quarter of this year.
Source: SGX
Hypothetical Trade Setup
Despite expectations of seasonally strong demand ahead of the Lunar New Year, market sentiment for SGX Iron Ore remains bearish. China's sluggish economic recovery suggests a rebound may hinge on monetary policy easing in 2025. Additionally, technical indicators reinforce the bearish outlook, with prices falling below both short- and long-term moving averages. A short position on SGX Iron Ore could be a strategic way to express this view.
We propose a hypothetical trade setup involving selling the SGX Iron Ore January Futures Contract at USD 102/ton, with a stop loss at USD 105/ton and a target price of USD 97/ton, yielding a reward-to-risk ratio of 1.67x. Each contract provides exposure to 100 tons of iron ore, resulting in a potential gain of USD 500/lot ((102 - 97) x 100) against a risk of USD 300/lot. This calculation excludes transaction costs, such as clearing broker and exchange fees. The SGX requires a minimum initial margin of USD 1,188/lot and a maintenance margin of USD 1,080/lot.
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