Prices in the international steel billet market moved in different directions in the week ended Friday May 18 with the factors influencing market decisions varying from region to region.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange are consolidating at lower numbers this morning, Friday January 13, with prices down an average of 0.7%, this is after a bullish day on Thursday, when prices climbed an average of 2%.

South Korean mills are likely to post worse-than-expected results for the fourth quarter of 2012, but they can also look forward to a healthy rebound in fortunes this year, Samsung Securities says.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange are for the most part weaker this morning, Wednesday October 25. Tin prices are the exception as they are unchanged, but they are also already relatively weak.

Metal Bulletin reviews the major stories affecting the steel market over the past week.

Buying activity in the global steel billet market was muted last week as most of the potential customers were on religious holidays.

News that trade talks between China and the United States will take place later this month has sparked risk-on sentiment in the London Metal Exchange base metals complex this morning.

Prices for steel billet in the major markets showed mixed dynamics during the working week to Friday September 21. Weak demand drove prices down in the Chinese export, Southeast Asian import and Turkish domestic and export markets.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange are weaker across the board by an average of 0.9% this morning, Tuesday January 30.

Three-month base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were marginally higher during morning trading on Thursday June 28, with the complex up by an average of 0.2%.