The spot reference price for 62% Fe iron ore cfr North China decreased 0.6% to $137.70 for the week ending August 30, 2013, falling from the recent five-month high of $142.80 on August 14, 2013.
The spot price for iron ore averaged $112.12 in 3Q12, $120.57 in 4Q12, $148.16 in 1Q13, and $125.76 in 2Q13; the full-year 2012 average was $128.30.
The post-recession low was $59.10 on March 27, 2009, while the high was $190.19 on February 17, 2011.
Source: The Steel Index
The number of active oil and natural gas rigs in the United States remained at 1,776 for the week ending August 30, 2013. The count is still some 6.2% below the year-ago level of 1,894.
The highest weekly rig count in the United States since 1940 was recorded on December 28, 1981, at 4,530; the lowest was recorded on April 23, 1999, at 488.
The number of rigs in Canada increased 4.2% to 399 this week, climbing for the fifteenth consecutive week, and maintaining the highest count since March 15, 2013. The count is also some 26.3% above the year-ago level of 316.
The highest rig count for Canada was 727 on February 3, 2006; the lowest was 29, recorded on April 24, 1992.
Source: Baker Hughes Inc.
