EU steel flat product prices to rebound in early 2013

According to a MEPS report published today, a steel price recovery is to be expected in Europe early in the New Year. This is seen as the result of a combination of factors, mostly on the supply side. These factors include reduced European steel production, lower imports and higher steel export volumes.

 

These factors will significantly tighten supply and, in turn, should (according to MEPS) lead to rising steel prices in the New Year.

 

For full MEPS report, see http://www.meps.co.uk/Keynote10-12.htm, taken from the European Steel Review.

 

blogger@steelonthenet.com

 

Steel prices collapse - MEPS

According to a recent MEPS report, steel prices fell significantly last month. Steel prices in US dollar terms declined in most regions of the world. Falling steelmaking raw material costs, as well as rising steel imports resulting from weak economic conditions are the main reason for the downward pressure on steel product prices. For full MEPS report, visit http://www.meps.co.uk/viewpoint612.htm blogger@steelonthenet.com

Chinese stimulus will be good for steel demand

According to a recent MEPS report, the thrust of the recent Chinese stimulus package will favour steel industry demand. Investment is to be increased by Government in infrastructure projects. Subsidies will also be given to the domestic appliance sector in order to produce more energy-efficient products. Funds are also being released to build two new major steel plants in the south of the country.

 

The main impact of the stimulus – which centers on expansion of investment in infrastructure - will be to provide a boost to the producers of long steel products – meaning reinforcing bars, wire rod and structural sections. The stimulus will thus cause a significant rise in Chinese steel demand.

 

For original MEPS report, visit http://www.meps.co.uk/ChinaSteelNews0512.htm

 

blogger@steelonthenet.com

Stainless steel market on the rise in early 2012 ?

According to MEPS, all the leading stainless steel producers in the United States have announced increases to basis values - or reduced discounts - for flat products, effective for January deliveries. MEPS latest report also states that European mills are putting through price hikes in the New Year.

 

Interestingly, with demand volumes very poor and raw material costs falling, customers are expecting lower transaction values. Producers are, in many cases, still meeting these expectations. Note that the cost of nickel, most significantly, has fallen quite significantly in recent weeks.

 

So – a more profitable 2012 for the stainless steel sector?

 

For original MEPS report, see http://www.meps.co.uk/editorial1111.htm.

 

blogger@steelonthenet.com  

 

European flat product markets remain subdued

MEPS just reported more gloomy news from the European flat rolled markets. According to a report published today:

 

-          buyers feel that prices still have some way to go downwards, and are holding off placing new orders

-          Steel service centres are keeping inventories low because they are unclear about the direction of steel prices

-          The German strip market is described as difficult

-          French buyers remain very cautious given the current economic and financial uncertainty in the EU

-          Whilst the Italian economy remains weak so market sentiment remains dampened.

 

For original report, see http://www.meps.co.uk/Keynote10-11.htm. Let us hope for more positive news as the New Year approaches.

 

blogger@steelonthenet.com

 

Steel prices to reach $1000 per tonne

According to a MEPS report published today, steel prices are headed toward $1000 per tonne. This would bring steel prices back to their levels of July 2008, which was the last steel pricing peak before the crash.

Driven by higher steelmaking input costs [including coking coal, iron ore as well as steel scrap], the current expectation is for world steel prices to reach $1000 per metric tonne by Q3 2011.

 

To read the MEPS report, visit http://www.meps.co.uk/MepsNewsSteelPrices2011.htm

 

blogger@steelonthenet.com

 

Steel price forecast for 2011

MEPS have just published their view of expected year 2011 steel price changes across Europe. After a 31% rise in the steel price index across 2010, the expectation is for a ‘double-digit’ percentage rise in EU steel prices in 2011.

For further information, see the MEPS report at http://www.meps.co.uk/keynote12-10.htm.

blogger@steelonthenet.com

World steel production forecast to 2014

Looking ahead to 2014, MEPS have just published a world steel production forecast.

 

Moving from world 2009 crude steel production of 1.23 billion metric tonnes, global crude steel output in 2010 is forecast at almost 1.4 billion tonnes. Worldwide crude steel output in 2014 is anticipated by MEPS to be over 1.6 billion tonnes.

 

For further information, visit MEPS at http://www.meps.co.uk/global-production2014.htm

 

blogger@steelonthenet.com

 

World steel production forecast for 2009

Steel industry consultants MEPS have just published their forecast for 2009 world steel production. The output forecast for crude steel is 1165 million metric tonnes. This is a 12% drop on global 2008 steelmaking production volumes. For full article, see http://www.meps.co.uk/article-key-out-q2-09.htm

blogger@steelonthenet.com

Steel prices at bottom of cycle ?

Flat product prices appear to be at or close to the bottom of the cycle. This is the latest view from Sheffield-based steel consultants MEPS. Recent price forecasts appear to have changed very little since April 2009. Whilst there is still some negative pressure on transaction values due to subdued demand and bloated inventories - and transaction values may slip a little further in June 2009 - steel prices should stabilise during the third quarter of 2009. Steel product prices are then forecast to start rising in the final quarter of this year, with further advances predicted early in 2010 as the world economic climate improves.

To read the full MEPS price report, visit http://www.worldsteelprices.com/news4.htm.

blogger@steelonthenet.com

World stainless steel output to fall

MEPS are reporting that world stainless steel output is to fall in 2009. According to the consultancy, global stainless steel production will come to ~20.8 million tonnes in 2009, which represents a production fall of around 20 per cent from 2008 levels. The Western world figure (excluding China and Russia at 13.5 million tonnes will be the lowest production figure since 1994 - and indicate the third consecutive annual decline in Western stainless steel output.

You can read more at http://www.meps.co.uk/editorial04-09.htm

blogger@steelonthenet.com

Steel prices back on the rise?

A MEPS report http://www.meps.co.uk/keynote01-09.htm today suggests that EU steel prices will be back on the rise soon. Steel prices - according to MEPS – have now bottomed. Visit MEPS to see the their latest report…

blogger@steelonthenet.com