Short Range Outlook : June 2015
Slight improvement in trading atmosphere It seems that the general trading atmosphere has become slightly better in the global long steel market. The imbalances which we have gotten used to have diminished somewhat and therefore traditional trade routes seem to be chosen again. The strengthening of the Russian currency and the reduced influx of Chinese steel to far away markets are having an impact. Demand picks up in Europe, interest in imports declines The... Read More
Short Range Outlook : May 2015
Decent demand in global long steel market but excess supply still prevails The recent increase in metallics prices has imparted positive momentum to demand in the global long steel products market. Demand is still good in North and Central America and in some countries in South America. On the other hand, customers have been heavily destocking during the entire first quarter in some other markets, reducing buying quantities in these markets. Long... Read More
Short Range Outlook : March 2015
Global long steel market remains under strong pressure from supply side The global long steel products market is still under supply pressure with strong and agressive offers in terms of volumes and prices. Imbalance between scrap and iron ore prices closes faster than expected The imbalance between prices of iron ore and scrap has been closing as expected, but at a much faster rate. Lower scrap prices will benefit EAF-based producers and help them... Read More
Short Range Outlook : February 2015
Strong supply pressure and agressive offers in global long steel market The global long steel products market has been under supply pressure with strong and agressive offers in terms of volumes and prices since the beginning of 2015. Healthy demand in North America Markets in North America keep showing healthy demand. The reinforcing bars market in the US increased to almost 8 million metric tons in 2014, although imports at competitive pricing have... Read More
Short Range Outlook : January 2015
Lull in markets due to holiday period The global long steel products market has been quiet recently mostly because of the holidays in many countries, with business volumes shrinking to low levels. The market situation has deteriorated with strong and agressive offers in terms of volumes and prices, with demand stagnating. Many consumers of deformed reinforcing bars are squeezed by low prices and strong pressure from the construction side. What will... Read More
Short Range Outlook : December 2014
Oversupply still evident Oversupply has been evident in the global long steel market from September up to the end of November, slowing down demand, putting pressure on the market and pushing prices downwards. However, outputs are being reduced in certain areas and demand in the global long steel products market is now at reasonable levels although purchasing processes in general have been delayed or even fragmented due to the general price downtrend.... Read More
Short Range Outlook : November 2014
High levels of competition The global long steel products market is still showing a high degree of competition. Demand is strong in North America, the Persian Gulf region and the Southeast Asian market. However, other markets like the EU and South America are still showing some weakness. China is still influencing the perception of oversupply in the global long steel products market coupled with low prices. Indeed, availability is high, and mills... Read More
Short Range Outlook : September 2014
Challenging times in global longs market despite some demand improvements There has been a reasonable resumption of demand for long steel products in the North American and northern EU markets following the holiday period. Overall, the supply-demand imbalance seems to have eased, particularly for semi-finished materials, as a result of some cuts in production. Geopolitical conflict has caused business disruptions in the Black Sea region, Iraq and... Read More
Short Range Outlook : July 2014
Decent performance in global long steel market but rising concerns due to several issues Global demand has remained at reasonable levels during the course of the last 30 days. The market has been performing well in the Americas and showing better numbers in Europe. Elsewhere, market dynamics have continued to be strong in MENA countries, Africa and Asia. However, excess supply in general is putting a lot of pressure on pricing and margins. Steel... Read More
Short Range Outlook : June 2014
Healthy demand but persisting concerns in global long steel products market Demand has continued to improve in the global long steel products market, especially in the Americas and the EU. The US market remains particularly healthy demandwise, though supply is still very high, leading to worries that the market may have peaked. Commercial activity is increasing in Central and South America, with the exception of Brazil where the market appears to... Read More