European steel hot-rolled coil prices decreased slightly on Wednesday December 17, with demand still subdued as market participants are in no rush to do “urgent” business before the holidays, Fastmarkets heard.
Mills’ order books are “satisfactorily” full, while demand in the market remains “not so buoyant” with the approach of the holiday period, a distributor source said.
However, mills remain “positive” for the coming year, as new trade measures are expected to reduce imports’ volumes, the source also said.
In Northern Europe, estimates of workable levels were heard within the range of €610-630 ($717-740) per tonne ex-works.
Fastmarkets’ daily steel hot-rolled coil index domestic, exw Northern Europe was €623.33 ($732.61) per tonne on Wednesday, down by €0.21 per tonne from €623.54 per tonne on Tuesday.
The index was up by €3.75 per tonne week on week and by €10.83 per tonne month on month.
In Italy, estimates of workable prices were heard within the range of €600-620 per tonne ex-works. A deal was also heard at €610 per tonne ex-works during the day.
Fastmarkets’ daily steel hot-rolled coil index domestic, exw Italy was calculated at €612.50 per tonne on Wednesday, down by €0.83 per tonne from €613.33 per tonne on Tuesday.
The index was up by €0.50 per tonne week on week and by €12.50 per tonne month on month.
