The index tracking the development of China's bulk commodity market climbed for a sixth consecutive month in October, with a wider gain than in September, industry data showed on Wednesday.
The figure stood at 113.2 in October, up 1.2 percent month-on-month, marking six straight months of increases, according to the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing (CFLP).
The increase indicates stronger business confidence and a continued recovery in the bulk commodity market, as efforts to shore up growth have continued to take effect and global trade tensions ease, the federation said.
Among the 50 key types of products monitored by the federation, 16 saw prices rise on a monthly basis, with electrolytic copper, corrugated paper and coking coal leading the gains, up 6.9 percent, 6 percent and 6 percent, respectively, from September.
By sector, the nonferrous metals price sub-index climbed 3.5 percent month-on-month, driven by rising global demand for new energy, the usual peak production season, and supply disruptions caused by accidents at a copper mine in Indonesia and at an aluminum smelter in Iceland.
Supported by a modest rebound in the construction sector, the sub-index tracking mineral prices rose 0.7 percent month-on-month, reversing earlier weakness.
In contrast, the sub-indices tracking energy and chemical prices fell 1.3 percent and 3.1 percent, respectively, weighed down by external factors including lower international oil prices.
Experts said robust growth in high-tech manufacturing, equipment production, and consumer goods sectors in October, along with positive signals from the China-U.S. economic and trade talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and the U.S. Federal Reserve’s second rate cut this year, have boosted corporate optimism and sustained expansion in industrial operations, with the bulk commodity market maintaining a steady upward momentum.
They cautioned, however, that uncertainties in the global economy will persist, while prices of some commodities will remain subdued and supply-demand imbalances will continue to be pronounced.
To consolidate the momentum of economic recovery, experts called for stronger macroeconomic policy adjustments and further efforts to improve efficiency and reduce costs in commodity circulation to better unlock domestic demand potential.
China's bulk commodity price index rises for six straight months
China's bulk commodity price index rises for six straight months
China's bulk commodity price index rises for six straight months
