Thermal coal prices stabilized with minor fluctuations in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, and one miner raised the price of blending coal (CV 5,350, S 0.5%) by 5 yuan/t to 571 yuan/t, mine-mouth with VAT. Some traders at railway stations and metallurgical and chemical plants showed restocking demand, causing increased coal-haul trucks at mines, with several miners adjusting up prices by 5-10 yuan/t.

However, a few others cut prices amid growing resistance to higher prices among end-users since more miners resumed operation after the New Year holiday. The upcoming Spring Festival is expected to shore up the near-term market to some extent.