By Ben Levisohn
A Rio Tinto (RIO) executive said that he expects China’s demand for iron ore to rise this year, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Bloomberg News
China’s demand for steel is expected to rise at a compound annual growth rate of 3% in the next decade, Alan Smith, president of Rio Tinto Iron Ore Asia, said at an international conference in Singapore…
Rio Tinto’s iron ore sales to China were 147 million tons in 2012, a record total that Mr. Smith expects to be beaten this year.
Shares of Rio Tinto have jumped 1.2% to $48.02 on the news, which is also helping to lift the stocks of other iron miners. Brazil’s Vale (VALE) has gained 1.9% to $17.52 today, BHP Billiton (BHP) has climbed 2.1% to $70.11 and Cliffs Natural Resources (CLF) has risen 2.2% to 21.80.