Silicon metal highlights

摘要

The Chinese silicon metal market has been sliding due to weak demand and prices have dropped sharply in July. Traders in Sichuan province said export business has been thin with few enquiries, although suppliers have so far refused offers as being too cheap. The price of silicon metal in the USA has come under renewed pressure as slow demand persists amid cheaper offers. Trading has ground to a virtual halt in the past few weeks due to the traditional seasonal slowdown as producers dose down operations tocarry out repairs and maintenance. Consumers are likely to be sidelined from the spot market until late August If demand bounces in Europe then prices in the US are expected to track higher quickly given relatively low stock levels. Any pick-up in European demand, however, is expected to be slight after the seasonal slowdown as most consumers are satisfied with their intake of silicon metal in longer-term deals. Across Europe stocks are being held at low levels.