Molybdenum/Stainless waits for an upswing

摘要

The slowdown is centred on the stainless steel industry, which accounts for over a third of all molybdenum consumption. Most observers expected the plunge in stainless production in the second half of last year to be followed by an upswing this year. This simply hasn't happened. In the first half of 2008 world output was up only modestly (+0.6 percent) on last year and if the current quarter looks a little better it is only because third quarter 2007 was so poor.