Research

Forecasts and market analysis based on price assessments from Fastmarkets MB and Fastmarkets AMM

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April 2014 | Steel Raw Materials


The market appears disconnected from rising steel product prices: Coke and Coking Coal Highlights


After the announcement of Chinese stimulus measures at the State Council meeting earlier in the month, Chinese state officials recently downplayed expectations of further stimulus.

Regardless of firmer steel prices last week, mills remained cautious on the purchase of raw materials due to an uncertain economic outlook. Though, the Chinese authorities may be “managing” a slowdown, some market participants anticipate they will add stimulus when growth slows too far, too quickly. However, following the announcement of Chinese stimulus measures at the State Council meeting earlier in the month, state officials have recently downplayed expectations of further stimulus.

Moreover, we suspect there has been a transmission lag from when monetary policy was tightened in mid-2013 to its impact on the real economy in the first quarter of 2014; the effect of which is likely to result in slower GDP growth of around...

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