Southeast Asia’s butyl glycol (BG) spot prices will likely remain under pressure from ample supply in the near term. SEE MORE China’s coal imports soared in January, more than tripling from the prior month to 33.5 million tonnes, but there are compelling reasons to treat this outcome with caution, including weakness in benchmark Australian coal prices. SEE MORE 62% Fe Iron Ore Index stood at $90.58 per tonne cfr China on Monday, the highest level since March 2017, with market participants re-calibrating their supply expectations for the year following the suspension of operations at several of Vale’s mines in Brazil. SEE MORE Oil prices rose by around 1 percent on Thursday, with Brent crude futures hitting a 2019-high, buoyed by hopes that the Sino-U.S. tariff dispute could end soon and as China’s trade figures including crude imports beat forecasts. SEE MORE Liquid caustic soda prices in Asia are expected to remain supported as regional supply-demand is starting to balance out, with producers preparing to resume exports to the key India market amid upcoming turnarounds. SEE MORE