Why is the Fortescue share price tanking 7% this week?

There are several factors weighing on the iron ore giant this week.

| More on:
a sad looking engineer or miner wearing a high visibility jacket and a hard hat stands alone with his head bowed and hand to his forehead as he speaks on a mobile telephone out front of what appears to be an on site work shed.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

The Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) share price has fallen more than 7% over the past two days amid disappointment over China's latest stimulus announcement.

The Fortescue share price is currently sitting at $18.11, down 0.06% on Tuesday and down 7.37% since Friday's close.

Other ASX iron ore shares are also lower this week.

The BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) share price is down 5.78% since Friday's close. Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) shares are down 4.84% and Champion Iron Ltd (ASX: CIA) shares are down 9.44%.

The falls come amid the iron ore price slipping 1.33% to US$103.82 per tonne overnight.

Why is the Fortescue share price weak?

On Friday, China announced a 10 trillion yuan debt package to help its local governments with financing.

The package includes raising the overall debt ceiling for local governments and allowing them to raise more debt through the issuance of special bonds.

According to Reuters, the new funds will help repay high debt accumulated through local government financing vehicles (LGFVs) during a time of falling revenue, largely due to the property market slowdown.

Revenue is falling for many reasons, including developers no longer buying land from local councils.

This has led to local governments cutting civil servants' pay and delaying payments to contractors, impacting the real economy and contributing to weak consumer consumption and price deflation.

This debt package is a different type of stimulus than we are used to seeing from China.

In the past, Chinese stimulus has directly led to more urbanisation and the construction of infrastructure.

In turn, this has meant higher demand for iron ore for steel-making, pushing up the iron ore price and providing tailwinds for the Fortescue share price and other iron ore stocks.

In late September, China announced broader economic stimulus measures that prompted an immediate rally in ASX 200 iron ore stocks. The Fortescue share price leapt 1.75% on the day of the news.

Since then, no further stimulus that would benefit ASX iron ore stocks has been announced.

Reuters reported that China's Finance Minister Lan Foan said more stimulus would be coming.

However, it's unclear whether any further stimulus measures would directly benefit commodity prices.

Reportedly, there are plans afoot to repurchase unused land from developers and roll out subsidies to help factories upgrade their equipment and to incentivise households to upgrade their appliances.

None of these stimulus plans carry any discernable benefit for ASX iron ore shares like Fortescue.

What about the Trump factor?

Many analysts say Donald Trump's election as US President presents a new risk to the Chinese economy.

One of Trump's key policy promises is a 60% tariff on Chinese goods and a 10% to 20% tariff on imports from other countries.

A 60% tariff may further weaken the Chinese economy, which could have flow-on effects on Australia in the form of lower demand for our commodities and reduced export earnings.

In 2023, Australia's iron ore export earnings to China, our biggest buyer, totalled $115.6 billion.

By comparison, our second-biggest buyer, Japan, bought $8 billion worth of iron ore.

However, Fortescue executive chair Dr Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest AO says he isn't worried.

Forrest said China had enormous capacity to stimulate its economy further if required.

"The amount of horsepower in the tank of China's economy and their ability to self-stimulate is phenomenal …," Forrest said.

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in BHP Group. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Resources Shares

Australian notes and coins symbolising dividends.
Resources Shares

The BHP dividend doesn't attract me – Here's why

I’m steering clear of BHP as a passive income stock for a few reasons.

Read more »

Miner and company person analysing results of a mining company.
Resources Shares

The Mineral Resources share price just slumped another 7%. Here's why

Investors are bidding down Mineral Resources shares on Wednesday. But why?

Read more »

Female miner smiling in front of mining vehicle.
Resources Shares

Guess which ASX lithium share is racing 8% higher on record production

Investors are sending the ASX lithium share racing higher on Wednesday.

Read more »

Miner looking at a tablet.
Resources Shares

Up 7% in a month, are Pilbara Minerals shares in the buy zone?

Lithium continues to be a sore spot for many ASX stocks.

Read more »

Miner looking at a tablet.
Resources Shares

South32 shares sink amid $33 million copper investment

Copper continues to be in hot demand.

Read more »

two men in hard hats and high visibility jackets look together at a laptop screen that one of the men in holding at a mine site.
Resources Shares

Why are ASX 200 mining stocks diving hard on Monday?

Investors are not impressed by developments in China.

Read more »

A young woman holds onto her crown as another moves to take it, indicating rival ASX shares
Resources Shares

Is a royalty ruling a problem for Liontown shares?

Not the news investors were hoping for.

Read more »

Cheerful businessman with a mining hat on the table sitting back with his arms behind his head while looking at his laptop's screen.
Resources Shares

Fortescue shares are galloping again as Twiggy stays confident in China's horsepower

It's business as usual for the miner despite Trump's promised 60% tariffs on Chinese imports.

Read more »