Japanese Ministry of Finance said its country’s exports decreased sharply during November 2014, down 5.7% from previous month.

Japan exports about 16% of its stainless to China, its biggest customer.

Sony says that a stainless steel version of the SmartWatch 3 will launch next month. The device itself will be just like Sony’s original SmartWatch 3, meaning that it’ll have a 1.6-inch 320×320 LCD, but it’ll have a more premium stainless steel body.

They are also making a new SmartWatch 3 holder that’ll let you use the SmartWatch itself with any 24mm watch strap. The new SmartWatch 3 holder will launch in 2015.

Alcoa will acquire German castings producer Tital, in a move to strengthen its position in the jet engine components industry.

It seems with Euro”s issues and the fate of Greece, Spain and other weak countries in doubt, markets will continue to weaken. Good luck to us all!!!

UK based MEPS said that stainless steel markets across the globe are experiencing slow business activity due to raising concern over economic conditions, seasonal buying patterns and low transaction values.

Purchase volumes in majority of the European countries have reached record low values. Basis values are near to breakeven levels and the price of LME nickel has reached a record low value since 2009. Buyers are cautious as expected, considering the overall economic condition. Politicians and business experts have started analyzing the effects of Greece’s possible exit from the Euro currency and default due to the country’s debt crisis. The fate of Greece will have an impact on the eurozone’s other weakest countries, including Ireland, Portugal, Spain and Italy.

Scandinavia”s financial systems are less affected by the downturn in the south of Europe which is an encouraging sign. Moreover, meaningful investment has been made in North Sea oil interests of Norway, and truck and yellow good manufacturers in Sweden continue high export levels with developing countries like Brazil.

The US industrial activity has recovered rapidly and strongly when compared to Europe. Nevertheless, markets in the US are currently at a halt. In addition, considering the surplus production, domestic suppliers are facing stiff contest from imports from Europe and Asia.

China”s growth rate in output and consumption has also been decelerated in the last one year. Far East is suffering from significant overcapacity due to huge recent investments made in new plants. Thus, all key stainless steel manufacturing countries in the region are now exporting their surplus output to one another. One hope is that the Chinese government is expected to introduce a new stimulus package valued at CNY 2 trillion to stimulus growth. At this point, the government expects to promote greater private-sector partnership.

Source – MEPS – Stainless Steel Review

Flat-rolled stainless steel prices are said to be “all over the board,” with mills sticking to a recent price increase on smaller volumes but discounting larger volumes to certain customers

Stainless steel consumption in Acerinox’s markets increased by about 8% in the first quarter of 2012, the Spanish group said in its quarterly financial report on Friday April 27.

Stainless steel producers have brought down their alloy surcharges for May, representing an average decrease of 3.5% month-on-month.

So what? Just wait till June….

Allegheny Technologies Inc. (ATI) is keeping a close eye on imported commodity stainless, which the stainless and specialty steel producer says is crimping domestic market prices.

Flat-rolled stainless steel distributors have seen demand fall following a solid start to the year. Maybe we need a boost to the economy Mr. President. We can either lower taxes to push more money into the economy of we can pay your Secret Service people more money to spend on hookers in other countries.