Steel & Tube customers get a breather but price outlook murky

Steel & Tube customers get a breather but price outlook murky
The outlook for steel prices and related commodities is uncertain. (Image: Steel & Tube)
Jenny Ruth
Steel & Tube’s customers got a bit of a breather in its last procurement update, although it was more along the lines of costs aren’t going up so fast and some are even going down, than any expectation of any material price decreases.Indeed, the fall in the New Zealand dollar alone is forcing prices higher, even as shipping costs and supply-chain congestion ease a little and China’s zero-covid policy and its resulting lockdowns ease demand for steel, iron oil, coal and other steel-related commodities.“The outbreak of...

More Economy

Consumer confidence back on the up – ANZ survey
Economy Free

Consumer confidence back on the up – ANZ survey

Consumer confidence rose five points to 98.3 in April, according to the latest ANZ-Roy Morgan survey, shoring up the upward trend that was starting to look wobbly.But inflation expectations also rose sharply – up 0.5 points to 4.7%, the highest reading since July 2023.“Household...

Staff reporters 24 Apr 2025
‘Uncertainty abounds’: Willis on trade war challenges
Economy

‘Uncertainty abounds’: Willis on trade war challenges

The impacts for NZ are twofold and will make its economic recovery harder, Willis says.

Rebecca Howard 23 Apr 2025
Rise in liquidations compounded by IRD crackdown
Economy

Rise in liquidations compounded by IRD crackdown

The IRD filed two-thirds of creditor applications in the March quarter.

Gregor Thompson 22 Apr 2025