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    CRU: Competitive Imports a Potential Turning Point for Sheet

    Written by George Pearson


    By CRU Prices Analyst George Pearson from CRU’s Steel Sheet Products Monitor

    HR coil import prices and lead times are now competitive with domestic mills in the U.S. and Europe. Both markets remain tight in the short-term, but this is giving buyers more optionality for forward deliveries than in previous months and some negotiation power again—although still limited—in what has been a very strong seller’s market.

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    CRU: Global finished steel prices diverge, US the rare bright spot

    CRU: Global finished steel prices have diverged in August, with longs softening while sheet and plate firmed in most regions. Weak construction demand persisted across most longs markets, with the US the notable exception. Higher sheet prices were driven by tightening supply in the US and reduced import attractiveness in Europe, even as APAC sheet prices declined. Plate prices were mostly firmer across APAC, stable to down in Europe, and continued climbing in the US.