Investment in Central Europe’s defence, energy and automotive sectors is unlikely to significantly increase prices in steel’s spot market, MEPS’s latest Market in Minutes podcast reveals.

MEPS’s International Steel Review reported that recent GDP forecasts positioned Poland as the EU’s fastest growing economy.

However, research lead Chris Jackson says that any recovery in steel prices is likely to be modest and incremental amid continued low spot market demand. Jackson, who shares the findings of MEPS research with managing editor Tom Sharpe in the new episode, said:

“Military and energy aside, companies engaged in commercial sales and day-to-day-spot business may not be reaping the rewards that are projected for those industries.”Featured among the topics covered in this Central Europe-themed episode of the Market in Minutes podcast series are:Encouraging economic indicators: defence, energy and automotive show signs of promise. Subdued spot market demand continues to stall any steel price recovery Rising production: growing capacity utilisation at Huta

• Encouraging economic indicators: defence, energy and automotive show signs of promise. 
• Subdued spot market demand continues to stall any steel price recovery 
• Rising production: growing capacity utilisation at Huta Czestochowa 
• Ukraine’s steel exports and the uncertainty created by the EU CBAM