• Skip to main content

    CRU

    CRU: Sheet Market Activity Slows in Asia and Europe

    Written by George Pearson


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

    Sheet prices fell significantly in China and the Vietnamese import market in the last week and there were also smaller decreases in India. U.S. and European sheet prices continued to rise overall, although European trading activity was slower, and increases were smaller than we have become used to. Domestic and import availability continues to improve globally, but this is not expected to materially change market conditions in the next few weeks. Mills remain largely unmoved on prices after months of strong orderbooks, but the difference between trader and mill prices in regions such as Vietnam and India suggests a cooling in spot demand.

    Latest in CRU

    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.