To View Steel Price News On A Specific Day,News & Trends,Trade Issue

Note:

To view price news on a specific day, select desired year, month , day & category and click on "Display" button.

Year :	Month : Day :
Category :

News - 22 Mar, 2010

1. Monday Market Monitor - China - WEEK 11 - On the run - 22 Mar, 2010

Top

Chinese steel market, in tandem with other markets, continued to exhibit major surge in prices for both long and flat last week. But surprisingly BaoSteel announced their prices for flat products for April and the prices of pickling products, HR, galvanized products, electrical steel etc were kept unchanged.

Because of the rumors of sharp rise in iron ore price, most predict that Chinese large steel mills will hike prices by CNY 200 per tonne to CNY 300 per tonne. Thus the steel prices started a sharply and strong pulled up process from mid-March. The steel futures and over the counter electronic market also added the fuel.

Although BaoSteel’s prices unchanged announcement extinguishes the rising flames, an expert said as a positive factor to the prices hiking, the prices of the three major steel mills have been speculated ahead. So the impact of steel price adjustment has been digested in advance. Once the adjustments become clear, a pullback after the sharp hike is a normal phenomenon. Thus market participants do not have to panic too much.

It is reported that the domestic steel prices have entered an upward passage and shown vigorous increase in the past week amid which some trading houses held tight the resource and felt reluctant to sell. Currently, the demand appears good though some of the transactions are concluded between the traders and real consumption from the end users isn't fixed.

The Chinese Long Product Price Index CLPPI increased by 256 points whereas the Chinese Flat Products Index CFPPI improved by 237 points. The overall price index CHISPI grew by 245 points.

Class	12-Mar	19-Mar	Change	%
CLPPI	6326	6582	256	4.1%
CFPPI	6661	6898	237	3.6%
CHISPI	6516	6761	245	3.8%

CLPPI - Chinese Long Product Price Index
CFPPI - Chinese Flat Product Price Index
CHISPI - Chinese Steel Price Index

Long Products

Category	12-Mar	19-Mar	Change	%
PI-WRC	5493	5689	196	3.6%
PI-Rebar	7333	7663	330	4.5%

PI - Product Index

Flat Products

Category	12-Mar	19-Mar	Change	%
PI-PLTS	5926	6197	272	4.6%
PI-HR	6525	6795	270	4.1%
PI-CR	7716	7876	159	2.1%
PI-GP	6758	6877	119	1.8%

PI - Product Index

To know more about these indices please visit
http://steelprices-china.com/spi_services/spi.html

1. Long products

Billets
150*150
Q235

Location	CNY	USD
Fujian Province	259	38
Hebei Province	330	48
Jiangsu Province	250	37
Shandong Province	330	48
Shanxi Province	350	51
Tianjin	309	45

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010
Change is per tonne

WRC
6.5mm
Common

Location	CNY	USD
Changsha	268	39
Chengdu	352	51
Guiyang	354	52
Hangzhou	230	34
Kunming	334	49
Nanjing	244	36
Shanghai	240	35
Urumchi	0	0
Zhengzhou	197	29

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010
Change is per tonne

Rebars
20mm
HRB 400

Location	CNY	USD
Beijing	359	52
Changsha	359	52
Chengdu	297	43
Chongqing	317	46
Fuzhou	228	33
Guangzhou	269	39
Guiyang	297	43
Hangzhou	250	37
Harbin	317	46
Hefei	208	30
Jinan	269	39
Kunming	317	46
Lanzhou	297	43
Nanchang	342	50
Nanjing	239	35
Shanghai	250	37
Shenyang	378	55
Shijiazhuang	349	51
Taiyuan	298	44
Tianjin	349	51
Urumchi	177	26
Wuhan	249	36
Xian	247	36
Zhengzhou	259	38

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010
Change is per tonne

2. Flats products

HRC
4.75mm
Common

Location	CNY	USD
Beijing	300	44
Changsha	319	47
Chengdu	265	39
Chongqing	243	36
Fuzhou	300	44
Guangzhou	229	34
Hangzhou	302	44
Harbin	319	47
Hefei	200	29
Jinan	310	45
Kunming	250	37
Lanzhou	320	47
Nanchang	300	44
Nanjing	284	42
Shanghai	270	40
Shenyang	229	34
Shijiazhuang	304	45
Taiyuan	249	37
Tianjin	322	47
Urumchi	299	44
Wuhan	248	36
Xian	318	47
Zhengzhou	308	45

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010
Change is per tonne

Plates
20mm
Common

Location	CNY	USD
Beijing	357	52
Changsha	318	47
Chengdu	262	38
Chongqing	387	57
Fuzhou	328	48
Guangzhou	248	36
Hangzhou	369	54
Harbin	267	39
Hefei	258	38
Jinan	329	48
Kunming	202	30
Lanzhou	454	67
Nanchang	278	41
Nanjing	339	50
Shanghai	279	41
Shenyang	327	48
Taiyuan	388	57
Tianjin	467	68
Urumchi	353	52
Wuhan	352	52
Xian	504	74
Zhengzhou	364	53

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010
Change is per tonne

CR
1.0mm
Common

Location	CNY	USD
Beijing	200	29
Changsha	330	48
Chengdu	249	37
Chongqing	99	15
Fuzhou	250	37
Guangzhou	250	37
Hangzhou	250	37
Harbin	199	29
Hefei	50	7
Jinan	200	29
Kunming	201	29
Lanzhou	148	22
Nanchang	230	34
Nanjing	250	37
Qingdao	170	25
Shanghai	230	34
Shenyang	299	44
Shijiazhuang	300	44
Taiyuan	150	22
Tianjin	149	22
Urumchi	400	59
Wuhan	199	29
Xian	201	29
Zhengzhou	420	62

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010
Change is per tonne

HDG
0.5mm
Common

Location	CNY	USD
Beijing	250	37
Boxing	121	18
Chongqing	158	23
Fuzhou	104	15
Guangzhou	248	36
Hangzhou	99	15
Harbin	250	37
Nanchang	54	8
Shanghai	219	32
Shenyang	199	29
Tianjin	428	63
Wuhan	51	7
Xian	99	15
Zhengzhou	130	19

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010
Change is per tonne

To know more details on steel prices subscribe to services of www.steelprices-china.com by registering or send a mail to admin@steelprices-china.com with contact details. Kindly note that this is a paid service with subscription charges of USD 750 for 12 months.

(Sourced fromwww.steelprices-china.com)

2. Directory of Steel Pipe Makers in China - 22 Mar, 2010

Top

Published in December 2008, 'Directory of Steel Pipe Makers in China ' has been comprehensively researched and prepared, to bring you a fully up to date guide to Chinese steel pipe industries.

Why spend hundreds of hours searching for new contacts? Invest in a copy TODAY!

Content:
This report covers name and product details of 1208 steel pipe manufacturers of China in alphabetical as well as location wise order. Look at the information you'll get in the 'Directory of Steel Pipe Makers in China'
• Company name -1208 entries
• Address-1208 entries
• Email-1193 entries
• Phone number-1207 entries
• Fax number -1203 entries
• Mob -487 entries

Format: PDF File
Total no of pages - 629
Delivery by Email on receipt of payment

Price: USD 500 or equivalent in INR
Additional Charges would be levied for delivery of file on a CD or in printed form

How to order:
Ordering the report is simple. You can order your copy to reports@steelguru.com, which will send you an invoice of the report.

3. Updated directory of Indian steel makers - 22 Mar, 2010

Top

The fast developing Indian steel industries are continuing beyond what most believed was possible. As one of the world's fastest growing economies, India has become the most happening place among world steel market over last few years and thus is in the radar of not only Indian but most of global players associated with steel industry. But due to fragmented nature of industry, a comprehensive list of smaller steel makers is not readily available.

"Indian Steelmakers Directory 2010" is one the top sources of information available on steel making companies in India! 'Indian Steelmakers Directory' is one of the most comprehensive and accurate directory of Indian steel companies that have ever been published. This powerful directory is your connection to the entire Indian steel industries sector.

Published in March 2010, "Indian Steelmakers Directory 2010" has been comprehensively researched and prepared, to bring you a fully up to date guide to India's rapidly growing steel makers. This Directory will be extremely useful to businesses that deal specifically with companies in the iron and steel industry, ferroalloys, consumable suppliers, raw material sellers, equipment makers and others.

Whether you are a product manager, in charge of marketing, raw material seller, in equipment business or simply interested to remain in touch with the latest developments in the Indian steel industries, this directory will save you time and effort in finding the information you need.

Why spend hundreds of hours searching for new contacts? Invest in a copy TODAY!

This directory covers name and details of 755 Indian steelmakers out of total 1000 plus units in India

Price:
Soft Copy: USD 1000 or INR 50,000

Special offer
For orders paid in March 2010, a special price of USD 750 (INR 40,000) is applicable.

Delivery - PDF file by E Mail on the receipt of payment

How to order
Ordering the report is simple. You can order your copy to reports@steelguru.com, which will send you an invoice of the report.

4. Saudi Arab facing steel shortages - Report - 22 Mar, 2010

Top

Gulf News reported that the huge rise in prices of steel has led to black marketeering of this basic construction material in Saudi Arabia.

As per report, some of the steel products are being sold on the black market at prices higher than SAR 400 per tonne to SAR 500 per tonne or prices fixed by the Saudi Arabian ministry of commerce and industry.

Minister of Commerce and Industry Mr Abdullah Zainal Ali Riza warned those responsible for the current crisis in the steel market due to the soaring prices. He said that those found guilty would face stringent punitive measures.

The ministry has sent squads to conduct raids on the steel market in various parts of the kingdom and to take punitive measures against the violators of regulations.

Huge demand due to the construction boom in the kingdom coupled with a price increase on the global market and the shortage of supply are the major factors that resulted in the current soaring prices for steel products. According to sources, prices of steel may increase another 50% in the short term.

Mr Naif Al Baqami, an economic expert, noted that the total productive capacity of Saudi steel factories would reach only 3.75 million tonnes insufficient to meet the annual demand of about 4.75 million tonnes.

(Sourced from gulfnews.com)

5. Turkish merchant bar market follows uptrend of long product prices - 22 Mar, 2010

Top

The uptrend of local Turkish merchant bar market prices in parallel with the rising trend of long product prices has been attracting attention during the past week. In particular, the strong upward momentum of raw material and billet prices has been reflected in the increasing merchant bar prices.

It is still early to say that the increase in merchant bar prices is supported by domestic demand. In March, although there is a general expectation in the domestic market that the local construction sector will pick up speed, construction projects is slow for the moment. Given the rapid increases in domestic and export offers, some of the international merchant bar buyers are maintaining a wait and see stance for the moment; meanwhile, other international buyers who need to conclude purchases in order to replenish their inventories are counter offering at very low levels to export offers.

In the export markets, North Africa retains its importance. The high levels of export offers to Europe and the sluggish demand in this region as compared to the Middle East has caused Turkish rollers to focus their attention on markets in the Middle East and North Africa. Morocco, Lebanon and Israel are markets named frequently in terms of merchant bar exports. According to the Istanbul Mineral and Metals Exporters Association’s February figures, the top 10 export markets as regards tonnages are as follows:

Country	Feb 09	Feb 10	Change
Iran	11,731.0	17,623.9	-33.4%
Iraq	22,338.5	14,596.1	53.0%
Saudi Arabia	3,161.6	14,501.8	-78.2%
Morocco	6,280.4	10,788.0	-41.8%
Syria	12,668.1	9,706.2	30.5%
Greece	5,305.6	7,374.4	-28.1%
UAE	2,729.3	7,032.2	-61.2%
Israel	1,749.4	3,825.7	-54.3%
Kuwait	1,219.9	2,519.1	-51.6%
Lebanon	1,054.5	2,329.4	-54.7%

In tonnes

When the February 2010 figures are compared to those for the same month of 2009, countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE in particular are noteworthy for the increased tonnages they have registered. Although the general increases in tonnages are not very strong, they may be seen as a good sign of the strengthening of international demand as compared to 2009. However, most market players share the view that it will take a long time for demand to fully recover.

(Sourced from Steel Orbis)

6. Monday Market Monitor - Middle East - WEEK 11 - Rebar recovery is on - 22 Mar, 2010

Top

The ominous lull in the steel market in Middle East seems to have been finally broken as it has started to move up in tandem with increasing global levels.

Under the influence of information spreading about the rise in iron ore and steel scrap costs, some Arab markets have seen an increase in steel product prices, especially a remarkable one in rebar quotes as of the beginning of this week, in addition to the increase in imported billet prices which reached the level of USD 570 per tonne to USD 580 per tonne in some countries.

Rebar quotes moved up in Jordanian markets for the locally produced material by 9% to 10% reaching JOD 510 per tonne to JOD 535 per tonne. Meanwhile, the market in Egypt is witnessing a rise in consumer prices for rebar up to EGP 4000 just after the Egyptian companies quoted this price between EGP 3400 to EGP 3500 at the beginning of March.

Furthermore, Saudi markets have seen the rebar price up by SAR 300 per tonne from the prices announced earlier by local companies. So, rebar price reached SAR 2700 in some regions of the Kingdom with expectations of further increase in the coming period, although Hadeed SABIC, the largest provider for Saudi market hadn't announced any new increase of its quotes.

In addition, rebar price was up in UAE by AED 50 per tonne to AED 100 per tonne for locally produced as well as Turkish and Qatari imported material alike. Consequently, locally produced rebar is now quoted at AED 2150 ex works, whereas the imported rebar stands at AED 2100 to AED 2200 C&F.

Meanwhile, Turkish rebar price have increased to USD 670, rising by USD 40 compared to last week in the Iraqi market that is witnessing a very strong demand on that material, that's according to trade resources.

To know more details on steel prices subscribe to services of www.steelprices-middleaeast.com by registering or send a mail to admin@steelprices-middleeast.com with contact details. Kindly note that this is a paid service with subscription charges of USD 1500 for 12months.

(Sourced from www.steelprices-middleeast.com and Arab Steel)

7. Monday Market Monitor - Iron Ore - WEEK 11 - Miners on cloud 9 - 22 Mar, 2010

Top

As predicted vide our article "Are Indian iron ore spot prices inching to USD 150 mark in China" on March 16th 2010, some deals for benchmark grade 63.5%/63% iron ore of Indian origin are reported to have been done at USD 150 per tonne CFR China basis last week.

Tight supply conditions, mainly due to problems in mining and movement in Eastern India, coupled with railway freight hike of INR 300 per tonne this week pushed up FOB levels further by 6% to 13% during last week.

But, the main factor pushing CFR China prices is the surge in sea freight, which is reported to have climbed to about USD 36 per DMT or say USD 38 per WMT considering 6% moisture levels.

Although the direction of spot market of iron ore is uncertain, some market players believe that this round of surge is likely to push the prices up to USD 160 per tonne levels CFR China, before cooling down

While, Indian iron ore miners stand to make killing at these levels, Chinese steel mills are facing doom. But this clearly reflects that Chinese mills, which are churning ore than 50 million tonnes of crude steel every month, are in a helpless situation and really have no choice and even in benchmark settlement, if any, we could be seeing doubling of prices.

Last week trend

Indian iron ore fines
FOB India

Grade	Change
Fe 63.5/63%	6%
Fe 63.5/62.5%	6%
Fe 63/62%	6%
Fe 62/61%	6%
Fe 61/60%	7%
Fe 60/59%	7%
Fe 59/58%	7%
Fe 58/57%	8%
Fe 57/56\%	8%
Fe 56/55%	9%
Fe 55/54%	10%
Fe 54/53%	11%
Fe 53/52%	12%
Fe 52/51%	13%

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010

Prices of iron ore lumps remained unchanged in the Indian market but prices of iron ore fines of 63% at Bellary surged by almost 15%.

To know exact levels, likely scenario, domestic iron ore spot prices at Bellary and Barbil and FOB East Coast spot prices subscribe to "Iron Ore Services" of www.steelprices-india.com by registering or sending a mail to admin@steelprices-india.com along with your full contact details. Please note that this is a paid service with subscription charges of USD 600 or INR 30,000 plus ST for 12 months.

The accuracy and the speed of reporting changes is well appreciated by not only Indian miners, but by global iron ore majors as well as Chinese mills as many of them have subscribed to this service to maintain another but solid listening post as far as Indian spot market is concerned.

(Sourced from www.steelprices-india.com)

8. Monday Market Monitor - India - WEEK 11 - Heat is on - 22 Mar, 2010

Top

Indian domestic steel prices continued to exhibit strong upward sentiments last week, but some signs of weakening were visible for long products in the later part of the week.

After 16 days of mad rush, which started on Holi, the upward movement in the Indian steel market paused for the first time in last 16 days. The prices movement on March 17th 2010 was subdued, especially for long products, but recovery was again seen on Friday.

But the frenzied buying of steel both by users and traders, in order to secure there requirements at lower prices and attempt to make huge profits respectively, may continue to fuel the market. Indications of huge price hike in April by Indian steel majors would also continue to prop up the sentiments.

As per unconfirmed reports, most of the flat product producers have undertaken mid month price increase of INR 500 per tonne to INR 1000 per tonne and are likely to go for major increase on April opening, citing cost pressures.

Since the beginning of March, when Indian steel majors announced their pricing for the month of March, the market prices have surged by more than 10%.During this period Indian Long Product Price Index ILPPI went up by 768 points or 11% to 7537 whereas Indian Flat Product Price Index IFPPI surged by 661 points or 9% to 8234. The overall Indian Steel Price Index INDSPI went up by 717 points or 10% to 7869.

This recent surge in market prices have brought up the price levels closer to the PEAK of July-September 2008 with gap narrowing to just about 20%

Last week trend

Class	12-Mar	19-Mar	Change	%
ILPPI	7234	7453	219	3.0%
IFPPI	7909	8127	218	2.8%
INDSPI	7555	7774	219	2.9%

ILPPI - Indian Long Product Price Index
IFPPI - Indian Flat Product Price Index
INDSPI - Indian Steel Price Index

Long Products

Category	12-Mar	19-Mar	Change	%
PI - TMT	7086	7311	225	3.2%
PI - WRC	7670	7869	199	2.6%
PI - Angle	6814	7065	251	3.7%
PI - Channel	6895	7148	252	3.7%
PI - Joist	6347	6590	242	3.8%

PI - Product Index

Flat products

Category	12-Mar	19-Mar	Change	%
PI - Narrow Plates	7571	7769	198	2.6%
PI - Wide Plates	7816	7974	158	2.0%
PI - Hot Rolled	7712	7951	240	3.1%
PI - Cold Rolled	8464	8695	230	2.7%
PI - Galvanized	8494	8651	157	1.8%

PI - Product Index

These indices have base of 10,000 as on July 1st 2008

To know more about these indices please visit
http://steelprices-india.com/spi_services/spi.html

To download a presentation please paste this link in your browser
http://www.steelprices-india.com/uploads/Steel_Price_Index_Presentation.ppt

You can now get ILPPI, IFPPI and INDSPI as SMS alert on mobile by submitting your details at
http://steelprices-india.com/smsalert

1. Input material

Melting scrap
80:20
HMS

Location	Change
Chennai	7%
Kandla	0%
Kanpur	0%
Kolkata	-4%
Mandi	-5%
Mumbai	4%

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010

Alang

Product	Size	Change
Plate cuttings	1"	2%
Ships	Mixed	2%

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010

Pencil ingot

Location	Change
Ahmedabad	3%
Bhiwari	0%
Durgapur	0%
Ghaziabad	2%
Hyderabad	0%
Jaipur	-1%
Jamshedpur	10%
Kanpur	2%
Kolkata	5%
Mandi	1%
Mumbai	4%
Muzzafarnagar	1%
Nagpur	2%
Raigarh	0%
Raipur	2%
Rourkela	5%
Rudrapur	1%

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010

Pig Iron

Location	Change
Agra	4%
Jallandhar	4%
Kolkata	4%
Raipur	4%

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010

Sponge iron

Location	Change
Bellary	5%
Kolkata	5%
Raigarh	15%
Raipur	6%
Rourkela	5%

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010

2. Long products

TMT
Fe 415
12mm

Location	Change
Ahmedabad	3%
Chennai	4%
Delhi	4%
Indore	0%
Kanpur	3%
Kolkata	2%
Mandi	1%
Mumbai	3%
Raipur	2%

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010

WRC
SWR14
5.5/6

Location	Change
Chennai	3%
Delhi	3%
Kanpur	1%
Kolkata	4%
Raipur	2%

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010

ANGL
Grade A
65X65X6

Location	Change
Ahmedabad	4%
Bangalore	6%
Chennai	3%
Delhi	3%
Indore	1%
Kanpur	3%
Kolkata	5%
Mandi	3%
Mumbai	3%
Raipur	2%

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010

CNHL
Grade A
75/40

Location	Change
Ahmedabad	4%
Bangalore	6%
Chennai	3%
Delhi	3%
Indore	2%
Kanpur	4%
Kolkata	4%
Mandi	2%
Mumbai	3%
Raipur	2%

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010

JSTI
Grade A
250X125

Location	Change
Ahmedabad	4%
Bangalore	6%
Chennai	3%
Delhi	3%
Indore	2%
Kanpur	4%
Kolkata	4%
Mandi	2%
Mumbai	3%
Raipur	2%

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010

3. Flat products

HRC
Tube
2.5x1250

Location	Change
Ahmedabad	4%
Bangalore	2%
Chennai	4%
Delhi	4%
Indore	3%
Kolkata	1%
Ludhiana	2%
Mumbai	1%

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010

Patra

Location	Change
Delhi	3%
Ludhiana	7%
Mandi	3%

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010

Plates
Grade A
8X1250/1500

Location	Change
Chennai	4%
Delhi	5%
Kanpur	2%
Kolkata	1%
Mumbai	1%

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010

Plates
GRADE B
12-20X2500

Location	Change
Ahmedabad	0%
Bangalore	2%
Chennai	1%
Delhi	4%
Indore	6%
Kanpur	2%
Kolkata	1%
Mumbai	1%
Raipur	5%

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010

CR
DSK
0.63x1000

Location	Change
Ahmedabad	5%
Chennai	4%
Delhi	4%
Kanpur	1%
Kolkata	1%
Mumbai	3%
Pune	3%

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010

GC
100Gms
0.4

Location	Change
Bangalore	2%
Chennai	3%
Delhi	3%
Kanpur	2%
Kolkata	0%
Mumbai	3%

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010

4. Indian Export Levels

Export levels of HDG and PPGI from Indian mills surged further last week
Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010
Change is in USD per tonne

To know more details on steel prices subscribe to services of www.steelprices-india.com by registering or sending a mail to admin@steelprices-india.com with contact details. This is a paid service with subscription fee of INR 60,000 plus ST for 12 months. This will keep you in tune with daily happenings in Indian and global steel markets for steel prices. Tailor made package with restricted access to match your needs at lower prices are also available.

(Sourced from www.steelprices-india.com)

9. Indian steel minister says that price surge not alarming - 22 Mar, 2010

Top

ANI reported that Mr Virbhadra Singh Indian steel minister on Sunday said that the government has no control over the pricing of steel as it is the market forces which influence it, however, the government intends to ensure price curb.

Speaking to media on the sidelines of a function organized to mark the opening of the Laboratory for Soil and Leaf Inspection of Apples here, Mr Singh said the centre is trying its best to keep steel prices down

He told reporters that "The rise in price of steel price is lesser than it was earlier. Though, the union government has no control over its prices. Of course, the government is trying to exert moral pressure on it and is trying to keep the prices down so that the common people can use it easily."

He further noted that the prices of steel are not that much high that could be considered alarming. He told "The prices are low comparatively. Sometimes the prices are high and sometimes low. Still, the prices have not reached at an alarming situation."

Indian steel market for both long and flat products, which had surged by more than 10% since March beginning, seems to be stabilizing as the daily surge has stopped since March 16 and weakness in input material and long products is being seen for two consecutive days.

Indian steel buyers have rushed to the market to secure large volumes since March beginning resulting in huge surge in market prices in anticipation of mid term price hike by steel majors.

Although Indian steel mills remain buoyant on prices, citing cost pressures, trend in last two days as on March 19 signal possibility of some correction, especially for long products.

(Sourced from ANI and www.steelprices-india.com)

10. Monday Market Monitor - Metals - WEEK 11 - Bullish despite Chinese threat - 22 Mar, 2010

Top

Base metal prices remained on positive trend last week despite pressure from a stronger dollar and fears that potential further monetary tightening in China could cap demand of metals.

The euro weakened against the dollar as uncertainty grew over a resolution to Greece's debt problems and the US dollar moved up.

Fears of further moves by China to tighten credit have contributed to jitters in equity and commodity markets across the globe.

Sparking expectations for brighter demand prospects outside China was US data showing a gradual improvement in the labor market, where the number of workers filing new jobless claims fell slightly last week.

London Metal Exchange Rates
Cash Buyer

Product	11-Mar	18-Mar	Change	%
Zinc	2305	2298	-8	0%
Nickel	21300	22225	925	4%
Tin	17425	17690	265	2%
Aluminium	2194	2243	49	2%
Copper	7384	7475	91	1%

Change is on March 18th as compared to March 11th 2010
In USD per tonne

1. Zinc

London Metal Exchange Rates
Cash Buyer

11-Mar	15-Mar	16-Mar	17-Mar	18-Mar
2305	2254	2278	2315	2298

In USD per tonne

Date	Rate	Period	Change
18-Mar	2298
11-Mar	2305	WoW	-0.33%
18-Feb	2250	MoM	2.11%
18-Dec	2395	QoQ	-4.07%
18-Mar'09	1191	YoY	92.91%

In USD per tonne

2. Nickel

London Metal Exchange Rates
Cash Buyer

11-Mar	15-Mar	16-Mar	17-Mar	18-Mar
21300	21290	21995	22120	22225

In USD per tonne

Date

18-Mar	22225
11-Mar	21300	WoW	4.34%
18-Feb	20230	MoM	9.86%
18-Dec	17045	QoQ	30.39%
18-Mar'09	9700	YoY	129.12%

In USD per tonne

3. Tin

London Metal Exchange Rates
Cash Buyer

11-Mar	15-Mar	16-Mar	17-Mar	18-Mar
17425	17495	17500	17550	17690

In USD per tonne

Date	Rate	Period	Change
18-Mar	17690
11-Mar	17425	WoW	1.52%
18-Feb	16645	MoM	6.28%
18-Dec	15775	QoQ	12.14%
18-Mar'09	10050	YoY	76.02%

In USD per tonne

4. Aluminium

London Metal Exchange Rates
Cash Buyer

11-Mar	15-Mar	16-Mar	17-Mar	18-Mar
2194	2207	2213	2242	2243

In USD per tonne

Date	Rate	Period	Change
18-Mar	2243
11-Mar	2194	WoW	2.23%
18-Feb	2076	MoM	8.04%
18-Dec	2214	QoQ	1.33%
18-Mar'09	1339	YoY	67.58%

In USD per tonne

5. Copper

London Metal Exchange Rates
Cash Buyer

11-Mar	15-Mar	16-Mar	17-Mar	18-Mar
7384	7325	7341	7487	7475

In USD per tonne

Date	Rate	Period	Change
18-Mar	7475
11-Mar	7384	WoW	1.23%
18-Feb	7086	MoM	5.50%
18-Dec	6840	QoQ	9.28%
18-Mar'09	3735	YoY	100.13%

In USD per tonne

To know more details on steel and metal prices subscribe to services of www.steelprices-india.com by registering or sending a mail to admin@steelprices-india.com with contact details. This is a paid service with subscription fee of INR 60,000 plus ST for 12 months. This will keep you in tune with daily happenings in Indian and global steel markets for steel prices. Tailor made package with restricted access to match your needs at lower prices are also available.

(Sourced from www.steelprices-india.com)

11. Updated directory of Indian steel makers - 22 Mar, 2010

Top

12. Iron ore price negotiations - No more annual contract - FT - 22 Mar, 2010

Top

The Financial Times said, citing an unidentified senior executive involved in the talks, reported that global miners and Japanese steelmakers have reached a tentative deal to replace the 40 year old iron ore pricing system based on annual contracts and lengthy negotiations with short term contracts linked to the spot market.

The report cited a senior executive involved in the talks as saying that "There is an understanding on both sides to move to quarterly pricing. The negotiation is no longer about annual contracts."

FT report however said that the miners still need to resolve significant obstacles to reach a final deal.

Miners have pushed for several years to move away from an annual benchmark price system which evolved in the 1970s and 1980s with the emergence of Japan as a steel superpower. But the explosion of China's steel sector, growth of the spot market and a spate of Chinese defaults on contracted material two years ago means the benchmark is less relevant.

Spot iron ore prices are trading at twice the level of the 2009 benchmark.

A move towards quarterly coking coal contracts was announced earlier this month by BHP and analysts expect iron ore miners to cite it as a model.

(Sourced from FT & Reuters)

13. Monday Market Monitor - CIS - WEEK 11 - Hitting the roof - 22 Mar, 2010

Top

All the steel products at Black Sea exhibited a strong surge in prices last week due to limited availability and higher production costs.

FOB Black Sea prices for billets, last week, increased to USD 510 per tonne to USD 530 per tonne FOB Black Sea with offers going up to USD 550 per tonne levels.

We had reported on March 18th 2010 vide article "Ukrainian billet and pig iron prices to Italy hitting the roof" that price of billets from Ukrainian suppliers has taken more than USD 20 per tonne, jumping from a sale price of USD 550 per tonne CFR FO one main Italian port to USD 570 per tonne. Considering freight component of USD 30 per tonne to USD 35 per tonne for orders of 5,000 tonnes each, the selling price FOB ST Black Sea seems to have reached at least USD 530 per tonne.

It seems that market is still bullish and therefore that billet price could further go up, also due to a relative scarcity of available quantities and prospected productions.

Definitely with such growth, finished steel also had to follow and it did, but with the buyers resistance increase was smaller than for semis. But it was seen that offers varied a lot from supplier to supplier.

HRC from Ukrainian steel mills also increased by about USD 10 per tonne to USD 20 per tonne but the Russian producers are really trying to move the market higher by making last offers close to USD 670 per tonne.

Plate prices, which had not shown any remarkable movements till previous week, really jumped up last week. We heard that within the last week even low end producers have reconsidered prices couple of times and even a major Ukrainian mill is reported to have asked for renegotiation of prices for already concluded contracts.

As the prices in almost all regions are surging, buyers are likely to rush to Black Sea to secure volumes further adding fuel to the fire and we shall, in all likelihood, be seeing acceptance of such levels and may be further hike this week.

FOB Black Sea

Item	Grade	Size	Change
Billets	3-5 sp/ps	125-150 mm	25
Rebars	A300C-A500C	12-32 mm	15
Wire rod	mesh	5.5-6.5 mm	20
HRC	ST1-ST3 kp/sp/ps	2-8 mm	15
HRC	ST1-ST3 kp/sp/ps (Russian)	2-8 mm	30
Plates	A36	8-30 mm	40
CRC	08 kp (Ukrainian origin)	0.5-1.5 mm	0
CRC	Russian origin	0.5-1.5 mm	20

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010
Change is in USD per tonne

To know exact prevailing FOB prices at Black Sea, China, India, Turkey and Europe, as they change, subscribe to services of www.steelprices-india.com by registering or sending a mail to admin@steelprices-india.com with contact details. Please note that this is a paid service.

(Sourced from www.steelprices-india.com)

14. Japanese plate transaction prices on upward trend - 22 Mar, 2010

Top

According to Japanese steel industry sources, transaction prices of heavy plates are trending upward as a whole in various steel exports out of Japan thanks to a rapid expansion of the world's heavy plate demand in energy related sectors such as oil storage tanks, pressure vessels and LNG plants in addition to a recovery of heavy plate demand for construction machinery.

As a result, there are growing cases of heavy plate exports with a price increase of USD 100 per tonne for shipments between late March and early April. Also, some export deals have already shaped up at prices beyond USD 700 per tonne FOB to a level of USD 750 per tonne FOB. Even a larger price increase of USD 120 to USD 130 per tonne applies to specialty steel heavy plates for export.

There are prospects that Japan's export prices of heavy plates will further rise for May to June shipments, given an advance in raw materials prices.

Under the existing circumstances, though, Japanese integrated steelmakers claim that the current prices border on a cave in level when it comes to their exports of ship plates to South Korea. Accordingly, they are trying to get increased prices of close to USD 800 per tonne FOB in their ship plate exports under negotiation with South Korea's shipbuilding companies for shipments in and after April. But the negotiations face rough going because the Korean customers are demanding a major price reduction on grounds of a tough situation for their operations.

In South Korea, meanwhile, information is circulating that integrated steelmaker POSCO have begun to sound out domestic manufacturing industries including shipbuilding as to whether they will accept price increases of steel supplies from POSCO. It is understood that POSCO has taken action for domestic price increases of various steel products to meet considerable price increases in the company's contract renewals of iron ore and coking coal imports.

(Sourced from TEX Report Limited)

15. Indian Steel Projects - Following the Global Meltdown - 22 Mar, 2010

Top

A strategic overview of steel projects in India by SNRS, originally published in October 2009 and partially updated in January 2010, is available now.

The report covers all the issues concerning Indian steel sector and market dynamics.

In particular, it addresses new steel projects and capacity addition forecasts by various companies till 2020-21 and investment plans of following Indian steel majors
SAIL, Bhilai, Bokaro, Durgapur, Rourkela and Salem
RINL
TATA Steel, Jamshedpur, Kalinga Nagar, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand
Essar Steel
JSW
Ispat
JSPL
Bhushan Steel Ltd
Bhushan Power and Steel Ltd
National Mineral Development Corporation
Welspun Group
JSL Ltd
Electrosteel Integrated
Monnet Ispat and Energy Ltd
Mesco ( Mideast Intergated ) Steel
Visa Steel
POSCO
ArcelorMittal
Jai Balaji Steel
Adhunik Group

The report is available at USD 2000 or INR 100,000

The report will be sent as a PDF file to all buyers outside of India.
In the case of buyers within India, the same will be additionally sent on a CD by post, if required.

Please sand a mail to reports@steelguru.com

16. Global steel markets on golden run again - 22 Mar, 2010

Top

We have seen real recovery in steel prices last week in all the major markets, being monitored by us. The highlights of prices surge in various markets last week are as under

1. China - Prices for long products increased by 4.1% whereas the flat products improved by 3.6% and the overall improvement was 3.8%

2. India - Prices for long products increased by 3.0% whereas the flat products improved by 2.8% and the overall improvement was 2.9%

3. Europe - Prices of flat products increased by EUR 10 per tonne to EUR 40 per tonne, where as prices of long products increased by EUR 10 per tonne to EUR 60 per tonne.

4. Black Sea - Export levels of billets & long products increased by USD 15 per tonne to USD 25 per tonne whereas flat products gained USD 10 per tonne to USD 40 per tonne.

As the common ground being cited all over is cost pressure so we need to take a clear view of costs of various stages in steel making, in an integrated scenario of BF-BOF-Caster-HSM route.

1. Hot metal
Considering current levels of USD 150 per tonne for iron ore and USD 230 per tonne for coking coal on CFR basis, the cost of hot metal works out to about USD 440 per tonne, which is up by about 70% as compared to low cycle when iron ore was USD 80 per tonne and coking coal USD 150 per tonne on CFR basis on LT contracts.

2. Liquid steel
Considering current levels of hot metal prices and USD 425 per tonne for scrap, the cost of liquid steel works out to USD 525 per tonne up by about 57% when scrap was just USD 250 per tonne on CFR basis and hot metal was USD 260 per tonne.

3. Slabs
Due to higher cost of liquid steel, the costing of slabs has surged by 57% to USD 560 per tonne now as compared to USD 370 per tonne in low cycle.

4. Hot band
As a direct result of higher slab cost, the costing of hot band has surged by 50% to about USD 600 per tonne from earlier level of USD 400 per tonne. Thus the cost of hot band has gone up by almost USD 200 per tonne.

This working is based on global standards of consumptions and average costs. It does not take into account selling and general expenses. The full details of costing are available to the subscribers of www.steelprices-india.com

This costing structure is true for steel mills which had been buying both iron ore and coking coal on long term basis and not on spot or not having captive resources. Although the costing for Chinese mills will be similar but not the increases as they have been mostly buying iron ore on spot basis last year. The lower cost of iron ore for steel mills having captive mines would also be much lesser.

It is reported that Chinese sellers were eying USD 660 per tonne for SS 400 grade last where as Russian mills were offering USD 700 plus for cold rolling grade last week. Thus it is clear that all the steel mills are able to recover their costs at current levels even considering higher input costs likely from April 2010 and therefore the surge is more due to the hype of cost escalations and as such, prices need not be increased further on account of recovering costs but could be due to increased margins.

Steel users seem to be having no choice but to accept these price levels. But the danger of restarting of shut capacities by steel mills on positive EBITDA is lurking and we may see a changed pricing scenario after few months when supply exceeds demand.

The full details of costing are available to the subscribers of www.steelprices-india.com and you could subscribe to services of www.steelprices-india.com by registering or sending a mail to admin@steelprices-india.com with contact details. This is a paid service with subscription fee of USD 1500 or INR 60,000 plus ST for 12 months. This will keep you in tune with daily happenings in Indian and global steel markets for steel prices.

(Sourced from www.steelprices-india.com)

17. Monday Market Monitor - EU - WEEK 11 - Unprecedented revival - 22 Mar, 2010

Top

Last week have seen further substantial price increases on all products in Europe with producers pushing down heavily on throttle and placing increases of 5% to 10% in just one week.

As a consequence, demand is reviving as buyers can't find any competitive alternative and thus are all running to book in order to avoid next expected and already announced further increases. However it is clear to everybody that this is just an apparent consumption as the real level is still remaining sluggish and improvements are seldom, erratic and quite weak.

Long products have been, more than all others, those that have placed the most sensational price increases as basis price for merchant bars, de bars and sections has gone from a mere EUR 120 per tonne to EUR 150 per tonne of 3 weeks ago to now a days EUR 280 per tonne to EUR 300 per tonne basis EXW. It's going without saying that this is the nominal price request. Real transactions are said to be booked at levels around EUR 200 per tonne to EUR 240 per tonne basis EXW, depending on customer importance and order convenience.

Although astonishing, price increases have been well expected as an obvious consequence of scrap and semis scarcity linked with parallel price rebound. With billets being sold at prices of USD 570 per tonne CFR FO (About EUR 420 per tonne CFR FO), de bars and merchant bars re rollers have been left with only two alternatives: either to stop production or trying to proportionally increase prices of their output.

However, the situation is still bound to change in short time as production capacity is still much higher than actual sales and consumption. Spain has an installed capacity of about 6 millions tonnes of longs with an actual market absorbing 1.5 million tonnes to maximum 2 million tonnes, while Italy is in a slightly better situation but still with a capacity of about 5 million tonnes vs. an actual sale of 3 million tonnes. Different is the situation in Germany and North Europe where longs are basically not produced, being the market historically depending on imports from Italy and Spain.

In this scenario, it's really hard to understand how and where market will go during next short and medium term period. The opinion shared by many operators is that, after the present euphoria due to price increases, when main part of the customers will have bought whatever in their possibilities, prices will have to forcedly turn back.

Expectations are that this will happen not later than next summer, just before holiday period. Rest to see how deep and vast will the decrease be. Most probably will not see a new "disaster" like during 2008 but certainly, due the still poor situation of the general economic situation, it will not be an easy bite to swallow.

Flats are more or less on the same path with the difference that price increases have been spread during a longer period of time.

Plates are those that have more than others beneficiated of the new trend being able to finally reach the EUR 500 per tonne basis EXW level. However this product was for long time and till 1 month ago the most depressed among all flat products. It is said that next target of producers is the EUR 550 per tonne to be reached not later than next April.

All other products are enjoying the momentum with particular emphasis on CR and less euphoria for HDG.

Mills are keep pushing and pressing for price increases with many of them holding offers and availabilities, trying to create a shortage situation.

However, as soon as the already done relining of many BF's will come on stream and output will consequently increase, situation will forcedly change with expectations of price turning back before holiday period.

1. Plates

HRP (E)
S 235 / S275JR
5-20x2000

Country	Domestic	Import
Germany	10	40
Spain	10	10
Italy	0	40

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010
In EUR per tonne

2. Hot Rolled Coils

HRC (E)
S235JR
2-12x1000-1500

Country	Domestic	Import
Germany	10	40
Spain	10	10
Italy	5	20

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010
In EUR per tonne

3. Cold Rolled coils

CRC (E)
DC 01
0.60 Avx1250

Country	Domestic	Import
Germany	10	20
Spain	0	20
Italy	0	20

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010
In EUR per tonne

4. Hot Dipped Galvanized

HDG (E)
DX 51 D / Z100-120 / AS
0.55 - 0.57x AW

Country	Domestic	Import
Germany	0	10
Spain	5	10
Italy	0	10

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010
In EUR per tonne

5. Merchant bars

Merchant bars (B)
S235JR
5 to 150 mm

Country	Domestic	Import
Germany	50	65
Spain	50	50
Italy	50	60

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010
In EUR per tonne

6. IPN / UPN

IPN / UPN (B)
S235JR
50 to 400 mm

Country	Domestic	Import
Germany	50	65
Spain	50	50
Italy	50	60

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010
In EUR per tonne

7. HEA/B/M

HEA/B/M (E)
S235JR
100 to 600 mm

Country	Domestic	Import
Germany	60	30
Spain	70	25
Italy	60	50

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010
In EUR per tonne

89. De-Bars

De-Bars (E)
FE500
6 to 40 mm

Country	Domestic	Import
Germany	20	10
Spain	25	40
Italy	20	40

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010
In EUR per tonne

9. WR Mesh

WR Mesh (E)
S235JR
5.5 to 16 mm

Country	Domestic	Import
Germany	10	10
Spain	15	30
Italy	10	40

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010
In EUR per tonne

10. WR Drawing

WR Drawing (E)
SAE 1006/8
5.5 to 16 mm

Country	Domestic	Import
Germany	10	10
Spain	15	30
Italy	10	35

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010
In EUR per tonne

(E) - Effective
(B) - Base

CFR Antwerp for flat products

Product	Grade	Thick mm	Change
HRP	S235JR	10-60x2500	50
HRP	S355J2+N	10-60x2500	40
HRC	S235JR	2-12x1250	30
CRC	DC 01	0.60 Avx1250	10
HDG	DX 51 D/Z 180/NA-C	0.60 Avx1250	10

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010
In EUR per tonne

To keep tab on steel prices in Europe, subscribe to services of www.steelprices-europe.com by registering or sending a mail to admin@steelprices-europe.com with full contact details. Please note that this is a paid service with subscription charges of EUR 500 for 12 months.

(Sourced from www.steelprices-europe.com)

18. Monday Market Monitor - Scrap - WEEK 11 - Fuelling the fire globally - 22 Mar, 2010

Top

Scrap prices continued their upward journey, with buyers accepting higher levels last week. The surge in scrap prices is pushing the semis and finished product prices across the globe.

It is reported that prices of various grades of scrap are between USD 410 to USD 450 per tonne on CFR basis in various markets and that the buyers have reconciled to these levels..

Turkish import

Change	%
20	6%

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010

Rotterdam export

Change	%
5	2%

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010

India domestic

Location	Change
Chennai	1500
Hyderabad	-1000
Kandla	0
Kanpur	87
Kolkata	-907
Mandi	-997
Mumbai	700
Rudrapur	0

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010
In INR per tonne

China domestic

Location	CNY	USD
Acheng	0	0
Anyang	0	0
Beijing	50	7
Benxi	0	0
Chongqing	0	0
Dalian	0	0
Guangzhou	60	9
Hefei	100	15
Jiangyin	100	15
Jinan	70	10
Kunming	0	0
Laiwu	0	0
Lanzhou	0	0
Lingyuan	0	0
Liupanshui	0	0
Loudi	0	0
Tangshan	150	22
Tianjin	0	0
Tonghua	0	0
Wuhan	69	10
Wuyang	0	0
Zhangjiagang	80	12

Change is on March 19th 2010 as compared to March 12th 2010
Change is per tonne

To keep tab on steel prices in Europe, subscribe to services of www.steelprices-europe.com by registering or sending a mail to admin@steelprices-europe.com with full contact details. Please note that this is a paid service with subscription charges of EUR 500 for 12 months.

(Sourced from www.steelprices-europe.com)

19. Directory of Steel and Raw Material Supply Chain in Ukraine - 22 Mar, 2010

Top

In 2002-2007 the domestic consumption of steel in Ukraine was growing on more than 8.5% annually (CAGR). Now, despite the problems in economy, it still keeps the potential of development due to the economy modernization needs and infrastructure projects. In recent years needs of the Ukrainian consumption in large share were met with increasing imports of variable types of steel products. Since 2002 import to the country grew up on more than 3 times.

The directory will definitely help you reaching Ukrainian processors and end users of steel as well as leading traders and stockiest.

The Directory of Steel & Raw Material Supply Chain in Ukraine will guide you through the Ukrainian production facilities and will give a support in establishing of good business connections. The international traders section will also give you guidance in sourcing from the country.

The Directory of Steel & Raw Material Supply Chain is your key to the opportunities of the Ukrainian market.

Content:
This directory covers name and contact details of 21 steelmakers, 29 Pipe producers, 189 traders, 11 international traders, 23 stock holders, 44 Downstream, 29 casting, 6 Iron & miners, 10 Iron ore pallets, 11 coke & by products, 6 ferroalloys, 22 Refractory, 15 Association, 24 Industries, 23 Non Ferrous, 13 secondary non producers of Ukraine Industries.

Format:
PDF File
Total no of pages - 139
Delivery by Email on receipt of payment

Price:
USD 750 or equivalent in INR
Additional Charges would be levied for delivery of file on a CD or in printed form

How to order:
Ordering the report is simple. You can order your copy to reports@steelguru.com, which will send you an invoice of the report.