Steel is a major cost element for most engineering and construction enterprises around the world. Steel prices have become extremely volatile in all global markets. Consequently, input costs for many steel consuming industries have fluctuated dramatically. To provide a greater understanding of the impact of this situation, MEPS has created a new series of monthly Steel Purchasing Price Indices for seven key industrial sectors which have steel as an important cost item. Forecast indices, for a period twelve months forward, have also been developed.

The monthly indices provide an easy measure of the percentage change in total steel costs for the industry - resulting from movements in steel prices over the period. The monthly forecasts show the MEPS estimates of future changes in total steel costs for the specified industry.

Industrial sectors available:

• Auto Body Parts

• Construction Industry

• Household appliances (White Goods)

• Machinery Sector (General Engineering)

• Shipbuilding Industry

• Shipping Containers

• Yellow Goods
   

Regional indices are available on subscription:

• World

• European Union

• North America

• Asia

Purchasing price indices are updated monthly and a subscription is for one year. Each table contains 24 months of historic data for the selected sector and region.

WHAT INFORMATION DO I RECEIVE FROM A SUBSCRIPTION?

• Select an industrial sector and region

• A subscription entitles you to receive an index or forecast on the last day of each month for a period of one year.

• Each index table contains the current months figure plus 23 months of historic data.

• Each index forecast table contains the current months figure, MEPS forecast for the following twelve months, together with monthly data covering the previous five years. A chart showing the past and future index values is also included.

HOW DO I SUBSCRIBE?

• Select an industrial sector from the hyperlinks above or the table below

• Select a region from the table.

• Follow the instructions for payment.

• The annual subscription rate for an Industrial Steel Sector Purchasing Price Index for one region is GBP155.00

• The annual subscription rate for an Industrial Steel Sector Purchasing Price Index Forecast for one region is GBP 310.00

WHO SHOULD SUBSCRIBE TO THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR PURCHASING PRICE INDEXES?

• Steel buyers to compare MEPS benchmark figures with their actual figures.

• Business and financial analysts to understand cost pressures affecting their clients' operating costs.

• Senior executives in engineering and construction to monitor industry costs.

• Sales managers to explain rising costs and justify selling price movements.

• Government officials to monitor changes in input costs for public investment.

WHO SHOULD SUBSCRIBE TO FORECASTS OF INDUSTRIAL SECTOR PURCHASING PRICE INDEXES?

• Steel purchasing executives to assist preparing budgets

• Government officials to forecast costs for public investment projects

• Industry analysts to assist in making profit projections.

• Steel buyers to improve purchasing decisions.

• Senior executives in steel consuming industries to assist with forward planning.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

MEPS commenced its field research programme by entering into discussions with steel buyers in the main industrial sectors across the world. Many of these are current subscribers to our services. From the information gathered plus published data and MEPS analysis, we were able to make an assessment of the average steel usage, for each industrial sector. Regional differences were accommodated. Using the above criteria, in conjunction with MEPS researched, selling values for the individual rolled steel products, a notional January 2007 average steel price was calculated for each industrial sector. These were referenced index 100. All subsequent index values have been taken from this point - based on the monthly changes in negotiated steel prices.  Forecasts are updated monthly and extend for a period of one year into the future with a rolling 5 years historical data. A chart showing both historical and future trends will be displayed. The data is updated online on the last day of the month. The annual subscription rate is GBP 310.00 per sector/region.

Steel Product Prices included in this analysis:
Carbon steels; Hot Rolled Coil, Hot Rolled Plate, Cold Rolled Coil, Hot Dipped Galvanised Coil, Electro-Zinc Coil, Wire Rod, Structural Sections and Beams, Rebar and Merchant Bar.
Stainless Steels; Hot Rolled Coil 304 & 316, Hot Rolled Plate 304 & 316, Cold Rolled Coil 304, 316 & 430, Drawn Bar 304 & 316 and Peeled Bar 304 & 316.

IF YOUR INDUSTRIAL SECTOR IS NOT INCLUDED IN OUR ANALYSIS PLEASE CONTACT US.  MEPS CAN SUPPLY A CONFIDENTIAL TAILORED STEEL COST FORECASTING SERVICE TO MEET YOUR PRODUCT MIX.