Market Monitor Steel Metals Netherlands 2018

Market Monitor

  • Nederland
  • Metaal,
  • Staal

27 nov 2018

Despite ongoing price pressure the general outlook for the Dutch steel/metals sector is positive, and the impact of the US import tariffs is very limited.

 

 

nl steel 2018 pic1

 

 

  • Although the steel and metals sector accounts for just 1.1% of Dutch GDP, it is important as a leading supplier for construction, automotive and machinery. The industry is highly dependent on domestic construction sector performance.
  • After some difficult years, the industry has benefitted since late 2015 from a rebound in the domestic building sector, as well as rising demand from automotive and machinery and from increased exports. The overall outlook for 2019 remains positive. As the industry consists mainly of steel traders and wholesalers, the impact of the US import tariffs is very limited.
  • However, due to overcapacity there is on-going price pressure in most segments, which negatively affects margins. However, due to the benign demand situation, profit margins are expected to remain stable in the coming 12 months. Innovation continues to be important in order to focus on efficiency and to reduce costs.
  • Dutch steel makers, traders and wholesalers are higly dependent on banks for financing their stock. Banks have become more willing to lend than in previous years due to the economic rebound. However, any major steel price deterioration in the future would again make it harder to obtain additonal credit facilities.
  • Payments in the Dutch steel and metals sector take 45 days on average. Payment delays and insolvencies are expected to remain stable in the coming months. The insolvency level in this segment is quite low.
  • Our underwriting stance is generally open due to the current positive performance and outlook. We monitor stock levels more closely and low value added steel and metals companies, as they are very sensitive to price fluctuations. Also companies that are highly dependent on the oil and gas and shipbuilding sectors have our special attention due to lower order levels in the past.

 

 

Disclaimer

Elke publicatie die beschikbaar is op of vanaf onze websites, zoals, maar niet beperkt tot webpagina's, rapporten, artikelen, publicaties, tips en nuttige content, blogs, infographics, video's (hierna ‘Publicatie’) wordt louter ter informatie verstrekt en is niet bedoeld als beleggingsadvies, juridisch advies of enige aanbeveling aan de lezer(s) met betrekking tot specifieke transacties, investeringen of strategieën. Lezers zijn zelf verantwoordelijk voor het nemen van commerciële en andere beslissingen omtrent de verstrekte informatie. Hoewel Atradius al het noodzakelijke heeft gedaan om te verzekeren dat de informatie in enige Publicatie verkregen is van betrouwbare bronnen, kan Atradius niet verantwoordelijk gesteld worden voor fouten of omissies, of voor de resultaten verkregen door gebruik van deze informatie. Alle informatie in enige Publicatie wordt gegeven ‘zoals ze is’, zonder garantie op volledigheid, accuraatheid, tijdsgebondenheid, of op de resultaten verkregen door gebruik van de publicatie, en zonder garantie van enige soort, uitdrukkelijk of geïmpliceerd. In geen geval zal Atradius, haar gerelateerde partners of corporaties, of de partners, agenten of werknemers hiervan verantwoordelijk gesteld kunnen worden voor enige genomen beslissing of actie die zij zouden nemen op basis van de in enige Publicatie verstrekte informatie, of voor enig verlies van kansen, winstderving, productieverlies, omzetverlies of gevolgschade, speciale of soortgelijke schade van welke aard dan ook, zelfs wanneer de lezer in kennis is gesteld van de mogelijkheid van dergelijke verliezen of schade.