Iron ore futures extended gains into a fifth straight session on Thursday to erase most losses from the previous month, underpinned by robust near-term demand, improved steel fundamentals, a weaker U.S. dollar and persistent hopes of more stimulus from top consumer China. The most-traded September iron ore contract on Chinas Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) ended daytime trade almost 1.8% higher to 864.5 yuan ($118.89) a metric ton. It touched the highest since May 31 at 870 yuan a ton