LONG PRODUCTS

摘要

In the United States, 2011 is likely to turn out to be a record year for stainless steel long products consumption. However, profits made by suppliers during the first half of the year will have mostly been wiped out during the last six months. Recent attempts by some mills to apply basis price increases have been rescinded. The premium for depot stock over new production is now very small. Market participants expect transaction values to bottom out in January and, with inventory levels low, purchasing activity should then start to grow.Sales of stainless steel in South Korea, in general, are depressed by falling values and year-end stock minimisation. Demand for stainless steel bar, though, from shipbuilding and other heavy industries, is quite healthy. Posco's list prices are unchanged this month but market values have slipped by KRW100,000 per tonne.