Short Range Outlook : December 2015
Sentiment generally negative in global long steel products market Sentiment in the global long steel products market is generally negative due to the expected seasonal slowdown at the end of the year. Most markets are approaching holidays periods and, as buyers in many areas decided on their last purchases of the year in the previous weeks, activity has slackened lately. EU and North American mills have been able to get their orders Long product mills... Read More
Short Range Outlook : November 2015
Downtrend in global longs market in October against all seasonal expectations The global long steel products market has come back to life at the end of October and in early November as speculative purchasing has started to be observed following the downward spiral of scrap prices seen after the last IREPAS meeting held in Rome in early October, which had made it almost impossible to sell products in the market. The market moved on a downward trend... Read More
Short Range Outlook : September 2015
Long steel demand reasonable in Europe and North America for the season Trade for long steel products has been slower due to summer breaks in the northern hemisphere, although demand in Europe and North America could be described as reasonable for the season. Oversupply remains biggest problem Some oil producer countries are showing the effects of oil price reductions in terms of lower demand and currency devaluations that restrict imports. Oversupply... Read More
Short Range Outlook : July 2015
Reasonable demand in many markets such as US and Europe Demand for long steel products continues to be reasonable in many areas like America or Europe but is slowing down in countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region due to seasonal reasons. Pressure from Chinese goods intensifies A new wave of offers for all kinds of Chinese origin steel is adding to the pressure and increasing competition. All the while Chinese consumption has... Read More
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