With prices of most commodities, especially crude oil, metals and iron ore, falling, producing and consuming companies are in a tug-of-war to maintain margins.
Consuming companies want to lock part of their raw material costs by entering into medium-term supply contracts, which producing companies are resisting as much as they can.
Metal producers have benefited from rising prices over the past year. Even in the January-March period, prices of most metals were strong. However, this week has seen prices falling as global issues resurfaced. The elections in France and a possible exit from the EU, a slowdown in
Consuming companies want to lock part of their raw material costs by entering into medium-term supply contracts, which producing companies are resisting as much as they can.
Metal producers have benefited from rising prices over the past year. Even in the January-March period, prices of most metals were strong. However, this week has seen prices falling as global issues resurfaced. The elections in France and a possible exit from the EU, a slowdown in