China Economy 26 March 2026 - 29 April 2026

Rio Tinto Slips After China Move Rattles Miners
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Rio Tinto Slips After China Move Rattles Miners

Rio Tinto PLC dropped Monday morning in London, underperforming the FTSE 100 after miners came under pressure on weak Chinese activity numbers and broader risk-off trading. Shares traded at 7,655 pence, off 111 pence, or 1.43%, from an open of 7,698 pence. The FTSE 100 slipped 0.12%, according to Hargreaves Lansdown. Rio's timing isn't great. The miner had been close to its recent highs, with its London-listed stock just under the 52-week high of 8,275 pence from last week, coming off gains driven by strong copper prices and steady iron ore demand. Iron ore is key for steelmaking. Copper goes into power grids, data centres and EVs.
May 18, 2026
BHP Group’s China Iron Ore Deal Puts Yuan Pricing at Center of Market
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BHP Group’s China Iron Ore Deal Puts Yuan Pricing at Center of Market

BHP Group’s iron ore settlement with China is now about more than just releasing cargoes stuck at ports. Long-term supply agreements now pull the renminbi further into the mix for some pricing, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke to The Business Times. Specifically, Jimblebar Blend Fines are pegged to a basket of four reference prices—two of which are renminbi-based indices. The report noted BHP wouldn’t confirm specifics, and China Mineral Resources Group didn’t respond to a request for comment. Now, the shift’s tangible. China Mineral Resources Group, the state iron ore buyer, is letting steelmakers purchase and collect BHP cargoes that had been stuck at ports—provided they file reports with CMRG, Reuters said. Jimblebar fines, BHP’s medium-grade
April 29, 2026
BHP Stock Price Slips Despite China Ore Relief as Fresh Risks Build
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BHP Stock Price Slips Despite China Ore Relief as Fresh Risks Build

BHP Group’s U.S.-listed shares dropped $1.51 to $68.50 on Thursday. Fresh trade data signaled some of its iron ore finally getting cleared from Chinese ports, but the stock still slid. Rio Tinto shed $1.77 to close at $85.79, and Vale eased down $0.18 to $14.95. Mixed signals have investors on edge. They’re weighing whether BHP’s standoff with China’s state iron ore buyer is actually winding down or just on hold. All this as the miner hands out a 73 U.S. cent half-year dividend and now contends with a fresh fuel shock triggered by the Middle East conflict.
March 26, 2026