In the Italian flats markets prices have continued to show a softening. In the previous weeks Ilva's HRC prices were at €380/mt ex-works. Although the official prices have not shown a deterioration, bookings have been concluded at around the level of €360/mt ex-works. Meanwhile, the offers given from China and CIS countries have shown certain decreases. Chinese origin HRC is being offered by traders to Italy at the level of €350-360/mt CIF, while the price level of Ukrainian origin HRC is in the range of €360-365/mt CIF Italy. Italian buyers, foreseeing that demand will move on a weak trend and that prices will show further softenings, have not been inclined to engage in purchasing activities, regardless of the price levels.
€1 = US$1.49900