Short Range Outlook : June 2024

Gloom persists in global longs market, no sign yet of corner being turned Demand in the global long steel products market continues to lag behind supply and the bottom of the market may not have been seen yet. The steel volumes being produced and being consumed are not growing. On the contrary, they are down in most regions. A lot depends on China Everyone one is expecting some move from Beijing, to slow down exports from China. The iron ore price... Read More

Short Range Outlook : November 2023

No supply-demand improvement in global longs market, regionalization prevails The supply and demand situation in the global long steel products market is not getting any better, which continues to put pressure on producers. The increasing political influence on trade flows and particular markets in the form of antidumping and/or countervailing duties including also supply chain restrictions are leading to a more and more regionalized trade with a... Read More

Short Range Outlook : August 2023

General slowdown in global longs market puts producers under pressure  The global long steel products market is slowing down in general, which is putting pressure on producers. Demand for reinforcing bars and wire rods remains very weak and there is strong pressure on prices from the new exporters – Algeria, Egypt, the UAE and Saudi Arabia – who are in the market with very aggressive offers. Business still stagnant in US, high interest... Read More

Short Range Outlook : February 2023

Unpredictability persists in global longs market, recession fears may have been exaggerated The global long steel products market is still characterized by unpredictability. China’s impact on the global markets is still an open question and this contributes to the unpredictability for the second quarter. It seems that customers heard too much talk of recession last year and were convinced that all construction would stop in 2023. Actually, it looks... Read More

Short Range Outlook : April 2022

War in Ukraine a major gamechanger for global longs market The war in Ukraine has changed sentiment in the global long steel products market as well as fundamentally altering the flow of raw materials and finished products almost overnight. There is more demand than secure supply in the market. Before the war, the expectations were that demand would determine the direction of prices, contrary to 2021 when supply was the driving factor. Today, however,... Read More

Short Range Outlook : November 2021

Supply and demand balanced in global longs market, energy costs and logistics bring uncertainties Supply and demand are balanced in the global long steel products market, as regional producers are now back to almost normal lead times.  Energy prices are soaring and logistical challenges have made business more uncertain, though underlying demand remains solid in Europe and North America. The ongoing weakness in China may slow its imports, which could... Read More

Short Range Outlook : September 2021

Supply and demand balancing out in global longs market, freight still incredibly high In the global long steel products market, there are signs that supply has caught up with demand and that the supply-demand balance is becoming more neutral. The market seems to be getting back to normal in terms of lead times, prices, etc. We are now in a period where things have to get back to normal, which in fact may be different from where it all started. A price... Read More

Short Range Outlook : May 2021

Global longs producers hold whip hand amid strong demand, short supply, rising prices Demand in the global long steel products market has continued to increase recently, and particularly demand in China and developed economies continues to push the market up. At the same time, international supply has tightened even further. Most mills are offering a few months ahead, thereby contributing to upward movement of prices. There are imbalances in rebar... Read More

Short Range Outlook : January 2020

Global longs market appears in better shape, with sentiment also improving The global long steel products market is surely in a better shape today although we have yet to emerge from a slow-activity period due to the holidays in Europe and around the globe. However, real sentiment in the market is pretty positive, especially after the announcement that a trade deal between the US and China will be signed. That said, we have to keep in mind the possibility... Read More

Short Range Outlook : December 2019

Tight margins and cautious sentiment in global longs market despite output cuts at BFs There is still no clarity and no sign of economic recovery around the globe. Nevertheless, European and US production cuts at blast furnaces for extended periods have given much needed relief to the rest of the steel industry. The global long steel products market is picking up due to the production cuts, as anticipated. However, there may not be a considerable... Read More