Global billet prices for steel slab have mostly risen this week, as suppliers in the CIS region managed to push through an increase and concluded several deals at higher prices.

The Indian government is to impose a 20% export duty on graphite electrodes from April 1, according to the International Rebar Producers & Exporters Association (Irepas).

Japan’s manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for May surprised to the upside at 52.8, having been expected to remain at April’s level of 52.5, while China’s Caixin PMI came in at 51.1, which was unchanged from April’s reading. Taking into account yesterday’s better-than-expected reading on China’s official PMI, economic data may be picking up again, which could bode well for the metals.

The steel export trade from Iran has been hurt by neighboring countries closing their borders due to the appearance of coronavirus infection in the Middle Eastern country, Fastmarkets learnt on Friday February 28.

Long steel imports into Brazil increased by 36.4% in 2012, according to figures disclosed by the country’s foreign trade ministry.

The latest news and price moves to start the Asian day on Friday March 16.

While the winter season begins in China, the ferrous market is wondering whether Chinese steelmakers will continue to move toward higher-grade, lower-impurity iron ore - an affinity they have demonstrated over the last two years.

Base metals traded on the London Metal Exchange are on divergent paths this morning, Monday September 25, with zinc and tin prices higher by 0.8% and 0.3%, respectively; lead and copper prices are little changed with three-month copper at $6,479 per tonne; and nickel and aluminium prices are weaker by 0.5% and 0.3%, respectively.

Long steel imports into Brazil increased by 33.8% year-on-year in January, according to figures published by the country’s foreign trade ministry.

The latest news and price moves to start the Asian day on Tuesday September 25.