More price rises likely for steel products

Posted: Jul 29, 2009 |

Prices for most steel products , including the benchmark hot rolled coil (HRC), are expected to record more increases for the rest of this year on the back of continued improvement in demand.

Global price increases for a variety of steel products have been recorded in key markets in North America and Asia in recent weeks, pushing prices up. ArcelorMittal, the world's largest steelmaker, has already indicated further price increases for the fourth quarter, with increases of 3-4% on flat steel products planned for South Africa in August.

While steel demand has improved in the past few weeks, uncertainty remains as to how sustainable the recovery – attributed to buyers rebuilding their stocks rather than a marked recovery in end-user demand for steel products – will be.

The extent of further price rises is also unclear. Indications are that single-digit percentage increases are most likely, and that the record price rises and price levels seen in 2007 and 2008 will not be repeated any time soon.

A number of steel companies in Europe, Japan, Korea and the US have announced in the past few weeks that they will be restarting blast furnaces as the demand outlook starts to improve. This improvement in supply, coupled with the record levels Chinese mills are currently operating at, is expected to keep a lid on steel prices for the time being.

However, fears of an oversupply of steel products are likely to be unfounded. Chinese demand, particularly for long steel products, is expected to improve further in the second half of the year, driven mainly by continued increases in infrastructure and construction spending. As the biggest steel producer and customer in the world by far, China plays an important role in the market and has a massive influence on the prices of steelmaking raw materials.

Questions and Answers

Ask
200 Characters left
Rate this Article
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 0 vote(s)
    Feedback
    Print
    Re-Publish
    Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/more-price-rises-likely-for-steel-products-1079592.html

    Article Tags:

    steel

    ,

    structural tube

    ,

    pipes and fittings

    ,

    flanges

    ,

    valves

    ,

    pumps

    ,

    irrigation equipment

    ,

    industrial hardware

    In USA, one of the leading brands that offer diverse and high quality products promoting proper hygiene is Difresh USA. If you are looking for the best opportunity to grow and have the opportunity for a new business Difresh USA can help you for they are looking for Exclusive Local Distributors

    By: danieltorrisl Businessl May 31, 2012

    Getting clean and refresh doesn't sacrifice the place where you are for it should be a habit. Having a healthy body will allow you to do things right and good. And no matter where you are you should practice a healthy and proper hygiene even in little things you do.

    By: danieltorrisl Businessl May 31, 2012

    Maintaining a healthy and proper hygiene badly needs products that are truly effective and could truly answer our need for this. No matter where we are and at anytime we want to get clean we basically need these products right away and only Difresh USA can supply these in a very easy way

    By: danieltorrisl Businessl May 31, 2012

    The key reason why some firms thrive while some implode during an financial recession is still a puzzle to many people business-owning business owners. Some wrongly assume that all businesses should suffer via recessionary cycles. But the truth is that some companies are usually essentially recession-proof, and it is not necessarily because they are much larger, better known, or a lot more generously capitalized.

    By: danhoh75rel Businessl May 31, 2012

    Companies like Arch Coal (ACI) and Massey Energy (MEE) watched his or her stock climbed.

    By: pennystockegghead49l Businessl May 30, 2012

    Thinking of buying that second-hand DJ equipment for sale in the classifieds? It may be worth your while to consider all the options before you make an impulsive purchase. The price might look irresistible, but a cheap buy is not necessarily the best buy over the longer term.

    By: Reshalll Arts & Entertainment> Musicl Feb 10, 2010 lViews: 235

    Tired of the inevitable hunt for a parking spot and annoying assistants at your favourite DJ equipment shops?

    By: Reshalll Arts & Entertainment> Musicl Feb 10, 2010

    South Africans are getting ready to host the world for a month of soccer celebrations, with a number of new iconic stadiums built to host the games.

    By: Reshalll Businessl Feb 10, 2010

    Whether it is pipe, roof sheeting or fencing, South African buyers can easily find whatever steel products – in any size or shape – they require.

    By: Reshalll Businessl Feb 10, 2010

    With so much to see and do, it requires careful planning to experience as much as possible of South Africa, one of the top tourist destinations in the world.

    By: Reshalll Travell Feb 10, 2010
    Author Box
    Articles Categories
    All Categories
    Quantcast