Coal on fire as China cuts capacity, La Nina fears ignite

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Preparing hot coals for a ritual where local temples will carry God icons across the fire. The annual harbour cleansing ritual is to ensure safety at sea and a bountiful catch in the year ahead, and takes place on the day of the first full moon in the Chinese lunar calendar.

During the last La Nina event, from 2010 to 2011, prices of coking coal rose sharply as economic growth rose in tandem with the adverse weather.

Although coal prices were unlikely to restage a rally as dramatic as 2011’s this time around, there would be a slight boost even amid a well-supplied market, said BMI Research in a note.

BMI Research has raised its average price forecast for the year for thermal coal to $53 a ton this year from $51 a ton. It had a prediction of $57 a ton from $52 a ton last year.

“Prices would still be supported temporarily from the fourth quarter by investor behaviour such as panic buying, speculation and stockpiling,” the BMI added in a note. Panic buying isn’t uncommon when there are supply disruptions as buyers try to stockpile the product.

But even as long-slumping coal prices were set to rise, there’s one group that wasn’t likely to benefit: coal producers.

Any boost in coal prices wasn’t likely to flow through to company’s bottom lines as floodwaters could damage infrastructure and lead to a loss in sales revenue should producers miss shipments, BMI said.

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