Original article by James Thomson
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 20 : 28-Mar-18

China’s growing demand for higher-grade iron ore has boosted the profits of BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto, while the widening discount for lower-grade ore slashed the interim earnings of Fortescue Metals Group. The pure-play miner has advised that its iron ore is now expected to fetch 65 per cent of the benchmark price, compared with its recent forecast of 70-75 per cent. The discount has widened from just five per cent in the March 2016 quarter to 35 per cent, but Fortescue still maintains that it is cyclical and will narrow over time. However, rival producers argue that the discount is structural.

CORPORATES
FORTESCUE METALS GROUP LIMITED – ASX FMG, BHP BILLITON LIMITED – ASX BHP, RIO TINTO LIMITED – ASX RIO, VALE SA, CLEVELAND-CLIFFS INCORPORATED