China steel demand remains strong, reports Platts CSSI

CHINA'S steel sector is expected to remain strong in April, despite a minimal decline in sentiment, according to the latest Platts China Steel Sentiment Index (Platts CSSI), which showed a reading of 72.14 out of a possible 100, down 1.91 points from the March level of 74.05. The Platts CSSI reflects the responses of steel makers, traders and exporters at the end of each month to questions about new orders for the month ahead and the proprietary survey contains additional sentiment readings on demand, inventories and prices.

“The survey for April showed that China's steel sector expects increased orders this month, with long product prices performing better than flat products,” said Tomas Gutierrez, Platts managing editor for China metals. “Long products are expected to see a continued seasonal pick-up in orders as construction activity resumes after the winter.”