FLAT PRODUCTS

摘要

US market sentiment is more buoyant. Price is no longer the main issue. Material availability is the key factor. However, most service centre buyers remain cautions and are not prepared to speculate on building up stock levels to fill their warehouses. Nickel prices have fallen in recent weeks. Nevertheless, Japanese steel makers are pushing for and obtaining higher prices from customers. Most mills are late with deliveries and have a backlog of orders - partially due to raw material shortfalls. South Korean buyers are delaying their purchases of stainless steel now that nickel prices are falling. They hope to obtain lower steel prices towards the end of the year. Other determinants, include the impending holiday break and the sluggish nature of the construction segment. We detect much more optimism in Taiwan about the future demand situation. In Hong Kong we have reports that Western mills are not offering as much material into this market. We can see the start of a drive for higher prices by the domestic mills. If successful this could change the situation once again.