Ferrochrome prices edged up on the week with a a few more deals reported, although market participants said activity was still slow.
Deals were reported at $1.20/lb for charge chrome in warehouse Rotterdam, while high carbon ferrochrome was offered at $1.25/lb same basis. A European trader said he had bought two lots of HC 65% FeCr with silicon max 1% at $1.30/lb and $1.35/lb in-warehouse but in small volumes.
A second European trader said he was hearing more offers from India at around $1.10/lb CIF Europe. "Indians don't know what will happen when China comes back from Lunar [New Year] holidays so will sell to Europe now," he said.
Silicomanganese prices continued to hold, coming of a little to reflect the slow demand and lower bids. Sources suggested sellers may start to drop offers if buyers did not come back.
"It's not really moving," a third European trader said.
S&P Global Platts assessed high carbon 65% FeCr at $1.20-$1.30/lb Friday, while low carbon 0.10% ferrochrome was assessed at $2.00-$2.05/lb. Charge chrome was at $1.15-1.20/lb.
Silicomanganese was assessed at $1,000-$1,150/mt.
