For the past year or two, steel analysts and experts have talked about how China’s market is now more open. Simultaneously, they discussed how domestic steel demand had surged due to increased infrastructure spending. The way they made it sound, low steel prices would soon become a thing of the past. This week, prices for […]
Category: Carbon Steel
Is China’s Recovery Key to an Industrial Metal Rebound?
Some argue yes, and others argue no. Still, one fact remains certain: the West relies heavily on China when sourcing multiple metals. This includes everything from steel and copper to rare earths and lithium. Therefore, China’s slow recovery from its zero-COVID policies continues to take a massive toll on the global industrial metal trade, circulation, […]
Steel Purchasing in a Sideways Market
Global steel plate prices continue to move sideways. But what does this mean for steel buyers? Moreover, how should one map out their metal spend? In a sideways market, the answers are not always as clear as one might assume. Indeed, less volatility is good in some ways, and a nuisance in others. After all, […]
Imports Put Bearish Pressure on European Steel Mills
Market participants report that prices for hot rolled coil in northern Europe continues to decline. The cause for the alarming steel news mainly concerns pressure from imports. Additionally, low demand and oversupply have been contributing factors in price fluctuations, with the problem persisting since early April. “The problem is not with Germany, but rather with […]
Sliding Iron Ore Prices Show China’s Recovery is Still Dragging
The iron ore slump shows that the Chinese economy continues to struggle. Moreover, if things on the steel front do not improve quickly, demand will be low for the rest of the year. Indeed, the decline in iron ore prices, which recently hit a five-month low, has many analysts worried about the robustness of China’s […]
Tata Steel’s UK Plant Struggling with Rising Costs and Decarbonization Challenges
Difficult trading conditions and a lack of clarity over state aid have put the future of Tata Steel’s UK plant into doubt. The Indian parent group also warned that current conditions would soon affect Tata Steel prices at Port Talbot. “A stress test conducted by the board to assess the potential impact of the economic […]
Automotive MMI: Vehicle Sales Up, Steel Prices Dropping
April saw a welcome boost in sales within the U.S. automobile market. New vehicle inventories are now in healthy shape. However, interest rates are still high, as are new vehicle prices. Moreover, the Automotive MMI index still has several factors working against it. Steel prices, notable HDG traded not only sideways, but completely flat. In […]
Raw Steels MMI: U.S. Steel Prices Slide as Construction Sector Poses Long-Term Risk
The Raw Steels Monthly Metals Index (MMI) moved down from April to May as all its components declined. After sharp upside movement during March, flat rolled steel prices saw their four-month uptrend falter throughout April. Meanwhile, hot rolled coil prices had risen over 82% from the beginning of the early December uptrend until prices peaked […]
Tata Steel Trials Injecting Hydrogen Gas into Blast Furnace to Cut Carbon Emissions
India’s steel giant, Tata Steel, recently announced it had successful injected hydrogen into one of its blast furnaces. Many tout it as the world’s first such experiment by a steelmaker on so vast a scale. The goal of such a process is to potentially reduce carbon dioxide emissions by replacing up to 20% of the […]
What’s Behind Declining Steel Prices in Northern Europe?
Hot rolled coil steel prices in northern Europe began declining over the past month. Sources told MetalMiner on April 25 that the downtrend was largely due to lower demand and aggressive import offers. One trader mentioned that North European mills are now offering €820 ($900) per metric ton EXW for August rolling and September delivery. […]