CRU: China On its Own for Higher Prices

By CRU Prices Analyst George Pearson, from CRU’s Steel Monitor

Steel sheet prices in the U.S. Midwest market were mixed this week with slight declines for both HR and HDG coil, while CR coil was slightly higher. Market contacts have noted that markets are weakening as demand has not come about as previously expected. Lead times for HR coil at mills, on average, have remained short while inventories throughout the supply chain were said to be higher than expected.