Lower realisation, rising imports may hit steel firms' earnings: Analysts

Lower realisations, rising imports and higher competition in flat products may weigh on earnings growth of Tata Steel, JSW Steel, etc estimate brokerages

The stock prices of Indian steel producers such as Tata Steel, JSW Steel, Jindal Steel & Power (JSPL) and Steel Authority of India (SAIL) are down 9-20 per cent since end of April. Concerns over future realisations and demand have turned the Street cautious, even as these companies posted strong numbers for the quarter ending March 2019. Among key worries are declining international steel prices and higher iron ore costs. Concerns over trade war, higher steel production in China, coupled with threat of a global slowdown are also acting as an overhang. As a result, domestic steel prices may be