Secondary steel market sputters on weekend in India

Saturday, 21 Feb 2015: The brief spurt in raw material and steel prices witnessed over the last 3 days in India's secondary sector steel market, up on sentiments rather by increased demand, sputtered on weekend removing hopes of recovery in last leg of financial year

Price level of input material as well as finished had made rally over the last 3 days unexpectedly. The rally was primarily seen as firming up of domestic sentiments on the back bottoming out of iron ore and scrap levels in the international market. 

Sponge iron price declined at all major locations by INR 100 to INR 200 per tonne due to oversupply and weakening sentiment in finished market.

Scrap price levels remained firm though since IF's indulged in stock replenishment in anticipation of further price increase. However the price levels at Alang for ship breaking and plate cutting scrap dipped.

Pencil ingot price levels corrected at most important locations since there was no significant buying of finished. The rally witnessed in the last couple of days was purely speculative trying to give the market break but not supported by demand. 

Rebar market remained quiet with corrections at select locations. Structural steel price though lost at Ahmedabad, Indore and Kolkata.

Courtesy: Steel Guru (Excerpts)