Tag Archives: MT
The issues threatening the big coal comeback
Coal and coal-producers have been hit hard over the past year as a glut of natural gas in North America drives utility switching, and slower growth in China threatens demand.
The real is emerging as a win-win for Brazilian steel makers
A combination of policy moves and a slowing economy have weakened the Brazilian real by 4.8% since the beginning of March, making it the worst performing currency tracked by Bloomberg. For exporters, this is a welcome change from the 8.7% appreciation in the first two months of the year, consequently making it the best-performing currency.
If shipping recovers, will the steel industry follow?
The boom-and-bust cycle in the shipping sector has far-reaching consequences. But even if the Chinese economy keeps pumping along, it may not entail bullish days ahead for steel stocks.
Lower coking coal prices fatten Indian steel margins (KOL, INXX, MT, BHP, RIO)
The price of coking coal has fallen up to 20% for the January-March quarter according to Indian government officials, reversing last year’s extreme strength in this key steelmaking commodity.
Analysts say steel in Brazil doomed by global economy (GGB, MT, SID, USNZY)
Banco Fator says the steel industry in Brazil and worldwide will have a slow recovery in 2012, affected by the crisis in Europe and deceleration of China’s economy. For this reason, they do not recommend the sector in the short and medium term.
Flat steel numbers worse for the biggest producers (MT, ANGGY)
New data from the World Steel Association show that global crude steel production is up 6% year-on-year, but on a month-on-month basis is still flat at best. Global steel production is now 5% lower than the peak production in May 2011 of 130 million tons.
