Prices trend in the market for hot-rolled coil (HRC) in the EU remain positive despite weak market activity and stable prices, sources told Metal Bulletin this week.
Despite the limited trading activity, prices are not expected to go down, according to market sources.European mills have already almost sold out their second-quarter production material, but have not announced new prices yet. The new offers for third-quarter production are likely to be announced with a price rise, sources said.In addition, end-users have not fully transferred the achieved price rises in HRC into their finished products prices, according to market sources. So steel distributors are also waiting until the end-user sectors reflect current HRC costs in their product prices. This might take about a month to happen, sources said."End-users still can get some cheap material...