Although the general sentiment is that prices have reached the bottom, also all operators are extremely cautious and reluctant in booking new orders, as demand remains very weak. But the major change has been that buyers have started to come back to the market with attractive inquiries.
The main SSC and distribution companies are on a defensive mood, still trying to tackle the situation by exchanging materials among themselves on a regime of barter or compensation.
Prices have slightly increased during last days, mainly merchant bars that, after a successful introduction of a new extra list with EUR 25 per tonne increase at the beginning of April, and a correspondent decrease of the basis, have finally acquired a net increase of EUR 20 per tonne to EUR 30 per tonne.
HR is still being bargained at around EUR 300 per tonne basis.
CR price are basically driven by Russian Mills with prices ranging between EUR 360 per tonne to EUR 390 per tonne DDP with CR strips offered about the same level.
HDG is still suffering of old stocks for which customers are bidding prices at levels lower than EUR 350 per tonne.
Plates, among all products, are possibly still under pressure although the differential with slab costs would not justify any further decrease unless of net losses. Ukrainians Mills are said to offer prices ranging between EUR 330 per tonne to EUR 350 per tonne DAF Germany, while some Italian producer are trying to increase a former level of EUR 370 per tonne Ex Works North Italy up to EUR 390 per tonne, which, considering a transport cost of EUR 40 per tonne to EUR 60 per tonne means prices ranging between EUR 410 per tonne to EUR 450 per tonne effective DDP.