Sector Trend - Outlook     10-Jan-13
Sector
Steel –Sponge Iron: Prices decreased in line with scrap prices amidst weak demand
Sponge iron prices decreased in December 2012 on back of fall in scrap prices coupled with the poor demand from construction sector. Further, prices are expected to improve in near term with the recovery in demand in the domestic markets. On a relative basis, players with their own iron ore mines (outside Karnataka) and coal mines are better placed. Amongst others, the standalone players are likely to suffer the rising input costs. Players setting up waste heat recovery-based power plant / stepping up power generation from such units will be relatively better placed on improving power realizations. Players that have ventured into pellatisation of iron ore fines will also benefit from saving in iron ore costs.

The increased cost of finance and execution delays have resulted in slow movement in the construction projects, translating to slower demand growth for long steel and so with sponge iron. Most of the fundamental issues which affected the cement demand in FY11 and H1FY12 continue to persist. Issues pertaining to land acquisition; delays in securing the requisite approvals and problems in achieving financial closure as well as sector-specific issues such as fuel security for power projects and delays in awarding contracts in road projects have affected the infrastructure projects. However, government has started taking some economic measures to achieve growth in infrastructure and construction sectors on the whole and the growth overall country's GDP along with the reduction of inflation rates as they are the key concerns for sponge iron sector demand growth.

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