Base prices for flat stainless steel products in Europe widened downward this week with buyers seeking to avoid bearing the full burden of June's higher alloy surcharges, Metal Bulletin has heard.
Feedback on demand has been mixed in recent weeks, with some sources starting to see consumption slow down ahead of the summer holiday period, while others reported robust buying interest.Indeed, one source that has seen healthy demand questioned why mills would absorb some of the alloy surcharge by offering reduced base prices, thereby eroding their own margins, particularly given that this is the fifth month in a row when surcharges have increased.The June alloy surcharge...