Steel futures opened higher Thursday in daytime trading on the Shanghai Futures Exchange.

The most active construction steel rebar contract for January 2021 delivery was up 23 yuan (about 3.44 U.S. dollars) to open at 3,655 yuan a tonne.

The most active January 2021 contract for hot rolled coils, mainly used in cars and appliances, was up 45 yuan to open at 3,813 yuan a tonne.