COLD ROLLED COIL

摘要

US negotiated basis prices for both austenitic and ferritic steel are static this month. Surcharges are lower for all grades. There have been no dramatic changes in the market. Customers have been unable to build up stocks because of tight domestic supply and, therefore, volumes are not expected to drop as much as usual during the Summer months. Korean suppliers are looking to improve their sales. In Japan, distributors' inventories are better balanced now, following the shortages during January/March, but backlogs still exist at the mills. Increasing imports have had no negative impact on the market, so far. As expected, there have been no major price changes during recent negotiations. South Korean business levels have picked up slightly but the approaching holiday season provides little reason for optimism. Prices have strengthened because of the recent upswing in input costs.