2205 GMT - Prices of iron ore and metallurgical coal could move higher in the short term on seasonal influences, but will likely soften by mid-year, according to Jefferies. That is because Chinese steel markets are expected to stay relatively weak while "supply growth (especially in met coal) is coming," they say. The analysts reckon the mining sector will perform well on the whole this year. But they expect shares of diversified giants Rio Tinto and BHP--which generate much of their profits from iron ore--will lag pure-play copper miners and other base metals producers. Vale is Jefferies' top pick of the world's top three iron-ore miners. (rhiannon.hoyle@wsj.com; @RhiannonHoyle)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 11, 2026 17:05 ET (22:05 GMT)

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