Flat Product Analysis

摘要

In US markets, while crude steel output is unlikely to rise, increased supply will determine market developments, as both shipments of foreign finished products and domestic use of imported slab and HR re-roll coil are likely to remain high. There is no immediate prospect of more production cuts in the EU, despite signs that imports may rise (so long as exporters to the region drop prices more sharply); oversupply is likely to be mitigated by exports, especially to North America. China's constraints on production to restrict atmospheric pollution are likelyto be reversed in the first quarter, if not before. While raw materials prices are in freefall steelmakers in othercountries will continue to exportany surpluses ratherthan cut output.