Robust steel demand to keep end-product prices high: Moody's

Moody's Investors Service Monday said robust steel demand, especially from the domestic construction, infrastructure and automotive sectors will keep end-product prices high, even as rising costs for key inputs, coking coal and iron ore pressure profitability.

In its latest report, Moody's said the outlook for the Asian steel industry is stable, reflecting the consideration that the profitability of rated producers will increase moderately over the next 12 months against the backdrop of overall steady regional demand, it said.

For India, the US-based agency said that "with minimal new steel capacity expected to be commissioned until 2021 in India, robust steel demand especially from the construction, infrastructure and automotive sectors will keep end-product prices high, even as rising costs for key inputs, coking coal and iron ore, pressure profitability."