Thermal Coal Prices

Thermal coal prices averaged USD 133.85 per metric ton in June, down 6.8% from May. On 28 June, the commodity traded at USD 133.45 per metric ton, down 6.3% from 31 May.

Prices were likely dampened by a supply glut in China. Data released in June showed that coal stocks in the country increased by 162 million tons over January–May, bolstered by moderate temperatures, heavy rains supporting hydroelectric power—which was up 15% in the same period—plus weak manufacturing activity; the National Bureau of Statistics China manufacturing PMI remained in contractionary territory in June.