Why the Fortescue (ASX:FMG) share price is falling again on Friday

This iron ore giant is falling again…

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The Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) share price is on course to end the week in the red.

In late morning trade, the iron ore producer's shares are down over 2% to $14.10.

This latest decline means the Fortescue share price is now down 6% in October.

A woman sits with her hands covering her eyes while lifting her spectacles sitting at a computer on a desk in an office setting.

Image source: Getty Images

Why is the Fortescue share price sliding today?

The weakness in the Fortescue share price today appears to have been driven by a sharp pullback in iron ore prices overnight.

It isn't just Fortescue's shares that are being impacted. Also falling today are fellow mining giant BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO).

Their shares are down approximately 3% at the time of writing, mirroring similar declines by their London and New York listed shares last night.

What's the latest on the iron ore price?

Traders were selling down iron ore prices overnight amid bearish sentiment in respect to steel prices and demand.

According to Metal Bulletin, the iron ore 62% fines Qingdao cfr price dropped US$7.14 or 5.75% to $116.93 per tonne.

It was a similar story for the low grade iron ore that Fortescue products. The price of 58% fines dropped 6.3% or US$5.99 per tonne to US$88.98 per tonne.

Is this a buying opportunity for investors?

According to a recent note out of Bell Potter, its analysts see a lot of value in the Fortescue share price.

The broker has a buy rating and $20.87 price target on its shares, which implies potential upside of 48%. It is also forecasting a massive 23% fully franked dividend yield in FY 2022 based on the current Fortescue share price.

Commenting on its share price weakness in recent months, the broker said: "While the share price currently looks like a falling knife, we are of the view that it remains a robust and attractive long-term investment and the current market valuation is an opportunity to build exposure."

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

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