SHANGHAI, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Steel futures opened higher Thursday in daytime trading on the Shanghai Futures Exchange.

The most active construction steel rebar contract for May 2021 delivery was up 70 yuan (about 10.77 U.S. dollars) to open at 4,808 yuan a tonne.

The most active May 2021 contract for hot rolled coils, mainly used in cars and appliances, was up 45 yuan to open at 4,997 yuan a tonne.