Hot-rolled coil prices in Europe saw a modest uptick in early July, though overall market sentiment remains subdued due to seasonally weak demand. Fastmarkets reported the domestic HRC index at €546.25 per tonne ex-works Northern Europe on July 11, up just €1.77 from the previous day. Official mill offers ranged from €560 to €570, but buyers considered €530–550 more realistic.
In Italy, producers targeted €540 per tonne ex-works, while buyer price ideas hovered around €510–530. Fastmarkets assessed the Italian domestic index at €525.83 per tonne, slightly up from €520.42 the day before.
Despite the price movement, stockists are keeping inventories low and expect minimal restocking after the summer break. The cautious mood reflects uncertainty over future pricing and demand, with many participants waiting for clearer signals post-holiday.
