Short Range Outlook: June 2013
Chink of light for long steel market as raw material prices approach bottom The supply and demand imbalance in the global long steel products market has worsened lately. Although real demand is not that bad globally, the continuous decline in prices of raw materials is causing a delay in purchase decisions, resulting in a decrease in apparent demand. In some markets, especially in Europe, this is putting pressure on prices. Demand seems to have dried... Read More
Short Range Outlook: May 2013
Overcapacity hinders price increases in global longs market Yet another month has passed in which demand in the global long steel products market has failed to show the long-awaited recovery. The volume of business has significantly declined in the overall global marketplace, even though volumes are either unchanged or have increased in some regions. Prices in the Far Eastern market are somewhat lower due to the increase in Chinese output and supply.... Read More
Short Range Outlook: April 2013
Global long steel market place hopes in output cuts and improving weather Demand in the global long steel products market has not indicated the long-awaited increase yet, and is still at very low levels due to the long and cold winter in the northern hemisphere, especially in the EU. Steel mills are still taking action to achieve a balance between supply and demand in the market. However, the supply levels have not really been of much help lately... Read More
Overcapacity and protectionism to remain key issues in 2013
Overcapacity and protectionism to remain key issues in 2013 The 68th meeting of IREPAS (International Rebar Exporters and Producers Association) was held in Doha on March 3-5, 2013. There were 76 producer representatives amongst the 210 registered delegates from 60 different countries. Yusuf Guven, chairman of the IREPAS Raw Material Suppliers Committee, said that the iron ore inventory strategies implemented in China resulted in increased iron ore... Read More
Short Range Outlook: February 2013
Competition heats up and margins suffer in global long steel market Trade restrictions have shut down a few significant markets for reinforcing bar exports recently, and so some exporting countries have been obliged to divert significant quantities of exports to other destinations, creating severe supply pressure on prices, and more importantly making profit margins practically non-existent. Demand for long steel products has not been picking up in... Read More
Short Range Outlook: January 2013
New Year brings some positive signs for longs market, at least for short term Business slowed down due to the holiday period in many long steel markets worldwide, but the balance of supply and demand has been maintained as many mills opted for long holiday breaks. The first week of the year showed some signs that 2013 may start with an upward trend in prices. Also, recent data indicate that major economies in the world may perform better than expected... Read More
Short Range Outlook – December 2012
Longing for better market conditions In November, long steel mills worldwide were in general bothered by lack of demand, the rise in scrap prices and the subsequent lack of conversion margins, and therefore continued to reduce production and cut supply into the market. At the same time, demand in the market has declined mostly for seasonal reasons despite the positive sentiment created by the increases in raw material prices. The raw material price... Read More
Short Range Outlook – November 2012
The market may improve in volumes Eventhough there were many announcements by several mills indicating production/supply cuts during the last few months, apparently they were not enough to improve the supply and demand balance in the market, as the market situation kept worsening due to supply pressure. Most buyers started to have lower price expectations, but later positive news coming from China has been of help for better sentiment in the market... Read More
Short Range Outlook – September 2012
Long steel products market keeps a close eye on China Global business is slowing down further. It seems that the economy in the European Union will continue struggling, and China will create more head ache in international business with its cooling economy. The long steel products market has seen some recovery in activity levels after Ramadan and the summer holidays. However, buyers remain hesitant in some geographical areas and also with regard to... Read More
Short Range Outlook – August 2012
Stagnation prevails in unpredictable long steel market Some customers in certain regions have returned to the long steel products market after a long absence. Nevertheless, for almost all products supply is still greater than demand, resulting in very difficult market conditions. Competition is very strong in the marketplace, and can even be described as fierce in the North American and Asian markets. The oversupply situation in China has worsened... Read More