The Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) share price is coming under selling pressure today. This is despite the iron ore mining outfit not releasing any price-sensitive announcements to the ASX.
At the time of writing, Fortescue shares are fetching at $20.67, down 4.53%.
In comparison, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is also treading lower to 7,308.3 points, down 0.53%.
Below, we take a look at what's dragging the miner's shares along with the benchmark index.
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Iron ore prices plummet
After spending the last couple of months hovering around the US$150 barrier, iron ore prices have continued to fall.
According to Trading Economics, the steel making ingredient is trading at US$142 per metric tonne as of last night. This represents a decline of 5.26% compared to this time last week.
The sharp decrease will have an impact on Fortescue's bottom line; however, profits are still expected to be churned out. The company reported industry leading C1 costs of US$15.28 per wet metric tonne for H1 FY22. C1 costs refer to the 'direct' production costs incurred in mining and processing the iron ore.
China's heavy-handed lockdown
Weighing down the market price for iron ore, and effectively Fortescue's shares, has been China's COVID-19 situation.
The government has amplified its already harsh restrictions on Chinese residents to achieve its strict zero-COVID policy.
Repeat testing as well as barring access to public places without a negative result has been initiated in the capital of Beijing.
China is seeking to limit the spread and the chaos that ensued in its most populous city, Shanghai.
It's worth noting that with the economic conditions rife, the construction sector has been hampered. This has led to the shrinking price of iron ore as demand wanes.
RBA increases rates
Another factor playing on Fortescue is the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) lifting its official cash rate by 0.25% today.
Notably, this is the first time the RBA has increased its rates since the Julia Gillard era in November 2010.
With the official cash rate now at 0.35%, this has pushed the ASX deeper in the red during afternoon trade.
The RBA is using its tools to curb inflation which has risen 5.1% on an annualised basis.
Fortescue share price snapshot
Regardless of Fortescue shares being lower today, its shares have gained 8% since the start of 2022.
Based on valuation metrics, Fortescue presides a market capitalisation of approximately $65.34 billion.
