Quotations for stainless steel welded tubes in the Italian market continue to remain weak. According to some producers, the current sales prices for tubes are inferior to the cost of buying stainless steel coils and this is having a very serious effect on their business. The current price level will not allow further short-term downward movement, in spite of the expectations of some end-users.
Currently, a more positive trend is seen for tubes used in industrial installations, while high frequency tubes are experiencing greater difficulties. The former have registered a slight slowdown in consumption but are showing greater resistance as regards price levels. The latter, on the other hand, have ceded considerable ground both in consumption and price levels.
As regards real consumption, traders report normal levels of activity or just slightly below normal, but with a lack of planned purchasing on the part of the end-users, who prefer to buy just what is strictly necessary to meet their daily needs.
Looking forward to the short-term future, those in the market who were interviewed said that they don't expect any further falls in prices, insofar as current quotation levels will not allow any further decreases.