Taiwan's China Steel booked stronger August revenue than a year earlier, a mildly positive sign that steel demand is picking up after a weak stretch.

• August revenue rose about 13% from last year, though it slipped from July.
• Heavy rain snarled shipments at home and abroad, and the company also cut its selling prices for the month.
• Revenue for the first eight months is running ahead of last year, pointing to steady improvement in demand.
• Steel demand is still soft in Europe and China, where the property slump drags on, while U.S. prices hold up on tariffs and building work.
• Rising coal prices are pushing global steel prices back up, which could nudge customers to restock.

Outlook: The peak season and firmer prices in the U.S., Europe, and Southeast Asia should support results, but the world economy and raw material costs will decide how far it goes.