Rebar, HRC futures rise for the second session

* Dalian iron ore up as much as 2.8%

* China’s coronavirus epicentre Wuhan lockdown ends

BEIJING, April 8 (Reuters) – Steel futures in China rose for a second consecutive session on Wednesday after the two-month lockdown in the Chinese city of Wuhan ended, raising hopes of an increase in demand as economic activities resume in the country.

Wuhan, where the coronavirus first broke out, started to allow people to leave the city if they were healthy, as new infections in the city dropped to a trickle in the past three weeks.

Construction rebar futures, for May delivery, rose 0.9% to 3,244 yuan ($459.28) per tonne, after having closed 0.1% higher on Tuesday.

Hot-rolled coil, used in cars and home appliances, gained 1.8% to 3,113 yuan per tonne. The contract had closed 0.9% higher in the previous session.

Shanghai stainless steel futures rose 1% to 12,155 yuan per tonne.

Aiding sentiment was the government’s pledge on Tuesday to stabilize and further expand consumption of new energy vehicles in China.