China Steel raises October prices as steel market enters peak season
Taiwan's China Steel is raising prices across the board for October, a sign the global steel market is finally turning up after a long weak stretch — good for steel makers, more expensive for buyers.
- China Steel is raising October prices on all products, with hot-rolled coil and plate up the most.
- Making steel costs more now: coal used in steel mills jumped sharply and oil stays expensive.
- US tariffs are keeping imported steel out, pushing American hot-rolled prices above $1,300 a tonne.
- China is cutting production on purpose, so less cheap steel is flowing into world markets.
- For the fourth quarter, China Steel is holding some prices flat and lifting others, a cautiously upbeat call.
Outlook: With supply tight and raw material costs high heading into the year-end peak season, steel prices look set to keep firming.