Stainless steel pipe, fittings & flanges report: August 2018
Political Influences
The PVF industry continues to seek smooth travel amidst the ever-present turbulence created by the political, economic and environmental influences affecting stainless steel and its base materials. Uncertainty continues to loom as a global tariff, counter tariff chess match shifts the pendulum of short- and long-term expectations. All facets of stainless steel production are affected from stockpiles of ore to the supply finished goods as they await their final valuation ultimately determined by international trade negotiations. End-user confidence and speculation varies depending on “gut feeling” as individuals attempt to predict whether today’s pricing is inflated or the new bottom as prices continue to trend upward.