The outlook remains unchanged since last month’s report. 

Domestic

Demand and capacity remain steady, but some observers see a steady shift in more end users requesting domestic product.  The fall price increase has settled firmly in place with rising healthcare and labor costs being the primary drivers.  Continue to monitor rising prices for scrap.

Import

Rising raw material prices prompted an industry-wide 10.0 percent price increase effective this month, and it appears to be sticking.  Also worth noting, many Chinese producers located in or near the capital city of Beijing have been ordered to reduce output or shut down altogether in response to the highest possible air pollution alerts.