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
Short Range Outlook : May 2014
Some bright spots in global long steel demand despite ongoing uncertainties The global long steel products market is still characterized by uncertainty amid the adverse effects of ongoing political tensions. The market combines areas where business is reasonably good, with some others where business is very weak. Real demand slowed down last month in the EU market due to the Easter holidays. However, the customers in the region who had postponed their... Read More
Short Range Outlook : March 2014
Political instability casts a shadow over long steel market The global long steel products market has been adversely affected by political developments in Ukraine and Turkey, and also by the prevailing market conditions. The downward trend in raw material prices and the excess supply of finished products in the market have resulted in a slowdown in purchasing activity. Despite the continuing improvements in developed economies, these have not been... Read More
Short Range Outlook : February 2014
Difficulties in emerging markets adversely impact long steel business The annualized crude steel production of the world steel industry in December last year decreased to 1.521 billion metric tons as the average daily rate of production declined by 2.5 percent in the given month compared to the previous month. The capacity utilization rate of the industry was 74.2 percent in December. According to the World Steel Association (worldsteel), the 65... Read More
Short Range Outlook: January 2014
Mood brightens in global long steel market despite ongoing unpredictability The global long steel products market has resumed business after the holiday period, as activity had stopped in many countries from the middle of December up to the first week of January. The mild weather conditions in the EU have permitted reasonable levels of construction activity, which have helped to sustain a certain volume of demand in the region’s long steel market.... Read More
Short Range Outlook: December 2013
Stability in global long steel market but future prospects appear brighter The global long steel products market maintained its generally stable condition during the month of November on the back of stable ferrous scrap prices. Major exporters have been able to find some opportunities for product volumes in the North African and Middle Eastern markets, and, on top of that, maintenance closures at a number of mills due to the upcoming holiday season... Read More
Short Range Outlook: November 2013
Some improvements in stable but quiet market The global long steel products market is generally stable but still quiet, though some movements have started to be observed as we approach the end of the year due to several different factors. First of all, a seasonal uptrend in ferrous scrap prices has been triggered as the winter approaches and supply is expected to be tightened. This same situation also exerts an impact on long steel product prices... Read More