Short Range Outlook : March 2024

No improvement in supply-demand balance in global longs market, Asian exports may surge The supply and demand balance in the global long steel products market has not improved compared to previous months. Unfortunately, the positive expectations after the Chinese New Year holidays have not materialized. It seems Chinese exporters will continue to be aggressive, which of course will also drive other Asian exporters (Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan and South... 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 : December 2022

First quarter of 2023 could be very difficult for global long products market Raw material costs are increasing once again and energy prices are expected to be very high at least until March 2023. Mills are facing cost pressures once more in the global long steel products market. Business activity has been reduced during the past month and, even though scrap and iron ore prices have gone up, net margins have either at best kept pace or in some cases... Read More

Short Range Outlook : February 2018

Global supply-demand balance for long products still looks good but caution needed on supply side While the supply and demand balance in the global long steel products market still looks good, the supply side is gearing up. Supply pressure is not expected to create big problems in the short run but may be an issue in the medium term if demand is not able to cope with it. Even Chinese companies have learned that dollars are more important than tonnages.... Read More