Iron-ore prices fluctuated on Monday, as expectations of restocking by Chinese steelmakers following a week-long holiday were offset by the prospect of increased supply in the fourth quarter.

The benchmark November iron-ore contract on the Singapore Exchange was up 0.56% at $91.10 a metric ton as of 07:04 GMT. The most-traded iron-ore contract on China's Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) gave up earlier gains to end daytime trade down 0.07% at 683 yuan ($102.07) a ton.

Prices of the key steelmaking ingredient fell last week as subdued demand and expectations of rising supply weighed on the market.

Restocking during the three working days from October 8 to 10, following China's week-long National Day holiday, fell short of expectations as some mills remained cautious about replenishing feedstocks amid thin margins.

However, more mills are expected to return to the spot market this week to build feedstock inventories to sustain production, which could support iron-ore prices.

Analysts at broker First Futures noted in a note that a decline in spot coke prices helped narrow steelmakers' losses, potentially slowing production cuts. Lower steel production losses would also support feedstock prices.

Gains were capped by prospects of increased supply in the fourth quarter, as miners ramp up shipments to meet quarterly and annual targets.

Futures prices of coking coal and coke, other steelmaking ingredients, gained 1.88% and 1.53% respectively, helped by sustained worry over slow supply recovery. Several mines were closed due to stringent safety checks following a deadly mine accident in northern China's Shanxi province in May.

Steel benchmarks on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were mixed. Rebar advanced 0.32%, hot-rolled coil added 0.12%, while stainless steel lost 0.89%.