Global mining stocks and sector-related exchange traded funds plunged Monday over Chinese growth concerns after the emerging economy revealed weak trade data.
The broad iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF (NYSEArca: PICK) dropped 5.8% Monday. Additionally, the more focused VanEck Vectors Steel ETF (NYSEArca: SLX) plunged 7.2%, VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF (NYSEArca: GDX) fell 6.0% and Global X Silver Miners ETF (NYSEArca: SIL) declined 6.2%.
The mining sector retreated along with the metals commodity Monday after China, the world’s largest consumer of raw materials, revealed exports dipped by 1.8% in April, compared to expectations of a 0.1% fall, and imports slumped 10.9% year-over year, compared to projections of a 5% contraction, CNBC reports.
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After a spat of speculative trading that helped bolster commodity prices over the past few months, Chinese miners have increased production and increased inventories. Consequently, imports of commodities fell in April month-over-month.
“Overall, China’s commodity trade data reflected cooling demand in domestic market from last month, yet the recovery is on track, although at a slower pace,” Helen Lau, an analyst at Argonaut Securities, told the Financial Times. “We think a slower recovery is healthy and much more needed than March frenzy, which was mainly driven by credit expansion.”
[related_stories]Further fueling concerns over China’s outlook, a government controlled newspaper argued Beijing should abandon stimulus to drive growth.