The 62% Fe iron ore index rose to $97.72 per tonne CFR Qingdao.
Higher hot-metal production improved demand expectations among Chinese steelmakers.
The Dalian January iron ore contract increased by 0.78% to 710.50 yuan per tonne.
Pellet and lump premiums strengthened as mills sought direct-charge materials.
However, weak steelmaking margins continued to limit aggressive forward purchasing.
