International Steel Market Analysis in Mar.2014

Steel Price Rebound in North America, Keep Falling in Europe and Asia

• North America Market

In March end, CRU North American steel price index was 177.2 points, 2.6 points up, increasing 1.5%. In March, U.S. manufacturing PMI was 53.7%, rose by 0.5% among which new orders index rose by 0.6% with the demand situation improved slightly. In March end, U.S. crude steel capacity utilization rate is 75.7%, 0.5% lower than last year. Plate prices continue to rise in the U.S. market in March. while other products continue to fall in price.

• Europe Market

In March end, CRU European steel price index was 155.7 points, 0.8 points down, decreasing 0.5%. In March, the Euro zone's manufacturing PMI index was 53.0%, fell by 0.2%. In major European countries, Germany and the UK manufacturing PMI were 53.7% and 55.3% respectively, dropped 1.1% and 0.9% respectively; France, Italy and Spain's manufacturing PMI were 52.1%, 52.4% and 52.8%, respectively, increasing 2.4, 0.1 and 0.3% respectively. This month the plank product prices in German market rose, but long products prices fell.

• Asia Market

In March end, CRU Asian steel price index was 164.3 points, 0.7 points down, decreasing 0.4%. In March, the Asian major economies manufacturing industries expanded at low speed, with China and South Korea manufacturing PMI 50.3% and 50.4% respectively, rose by 0.1 and 0.6% respectively; Japan, India, Indonesia and China Taiwan's manufacturing PMI were 53.9%, 51.3%, 50.1% and 53.9% respectively, dropped 1.6%, 1.2%, 0.4% and 2.0% respectively. This month Far East market steel prices remained stable, plank product prices turned to fall, and long products continued to fall.

For more price details about steel products please keep eyes on China steel prices of steelfromchina.com.