MEPS says EU steel prices slipping as import threat intensifies

Steel prices in the main West European markets have started to look a little weaker according to MEPS - European Steel Review, although these declines are minor compared to the generally strong upward move over the course of 2006.

Since January, in the EU's largest steel market Germany, transaction prices for hot rolled coil have increased by euro80/t or almost 20%; cold rolled coil developed similarly. Southern Europe has seen most of the recent slackening in prices - especially in Italy. Here, December transaction values for hot rolled coil have...