Recently, snowfall has been introduced in the northern part of the country. Coal consumption factors are constantly increasing, and the coal minimum and maximum inventory system brings short-term benefits, supporting the rise of coal prices.

The Bohai power coal price index closed to 576 yuan per ton, the three consecutive flat, but the price is expected to continue to strengthen. The previous two days of CCTD Qinhuangdao power coal prices kept the overall upward trend, its collection of Bohai area of all kinds of spot power coal prices in an overall rise.
The main origin, the latest Chinese Taiyuan coal trading price index for 141.67 points, up 0.52%, after the end of five fell, in addition to coal prices steady, other coal prices are rising.
According to the analysis, with the decrease of winter temperature, the demand for heating energy consumption is generally increasing. The daily consumption level of the six main power generation enterprises in the coastal area is increasing constantly, the weekly gain is over 7%, and the number of available coal days can be reduced to 17 days, and the seasonal factors are increasing.
At the same time, the national development and Reform Commission and the Energy Bureau recently announced the guiding opinions on the establishment and improvement of the minimum inventory and maximum inventory system of coal (Trial) and the assessment method, which has been implemented since January 1, 2018. Analysts believe that in the long run, which is conducive to stabilize fluctuations in coal prices, but the current level of coal stocks in major coastal electricity prices, generally lower than the minimum coal inventory standard setting winter coal consumption season, the market demand for replenishment on the release, further support the price of coal is expected to go strong.
The continued rise in the transport and futures prices of the coastal coal has strengthened this expectation. In December 12th, the maritime coal price index went up sharply, and it continued to refresh the highest record since the index was released. The increase in the ring rate also has been refreshed for nearly three months. The 1801 contract price of power coal futures, which is about to enter the delivery period in January 2018, is going up continuously in the near future, indicating that the current market is much more mindset.