Good availability helps keep buyers positive about future
By Staff -- Purchasing, 10/7/1999
Metals buyers' optimism has pushed higher this month, as 42% expect production levels to be better in six months time. That's a rise of five points compared with a month ago, and a rise of nine compared to two months ago.Part of the reason for this may be that availability continues to be good. Eighty-one percent of buyers surveyed report that metals availability from mills is normal, and 80% say the same about material from distributors.
Buyers are also optimistic about their own buying in the months ahead. Eighty-nine percent say they expect to be buying the same or more in six months time.
The bad news for buyers is that metals price tags are inching up. Although steel tags remain good for buyers (with only 14% reporting rising steel prices, and 24% still seeing tags decline), the situation is less beneficial for buyers of aluminum and copper & brass. Aluminum prices are up according to 40% of buyers, and only 12% report lower aluminum prices. For copper and brass, 44% say the prices are rising, while only 18% report declining prices. That's a nine point drop compared with last month's price decline figure.
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