Shipments of flat products by European service centres increased by some 4% year-on-year in November according to Eurometal, the European Federation of Steel, Tubes and Metal Distribution and Trading.
Macroeconomic data has been increasingly positive in Europe with purchasing managers’ indices suggesting strength in manufacturing and construction. Strength in these steel intensive sectors is now being reflected in sales volumes as well as the rising European steel prices.
For the first 11 months of 2016, service centre shipments were up 1.4% on the same period in 2015. Stock volumes were barely changed on-year at 62 days.
Peter Brennan, PLATTS
