Trading activity in the European hot-rolled coil market has been low in the week to Friday August 6 due to the start of the summer slowdown.
Sufficient buyer stocks and slow August activity have weakened trading but activity should recover between the end of August and the first half of September, sources said.
Most domestic producers only had HRC available from fourth-quarter rolling material, while some claimed to be sold out until the end of the year.
Mixed sentiment among buyers is also unlikely to support large coil purchases in September.
Some market participants said prices are likely to decline due to more balanced supply and demand than in the past.
Others, however,...