US producers have rolled over October values during recent settlements. Their order books are described as "in good shape". Inventories at distributors and O.E.M's have declined, although service centre business is only steady. There are few third country offers as the weak US dollar continues to hold imports at bay and encourages domestic steel-makers to export. Several major mills have announced strip mill price hikes of $US30 per ton, effective January 2008, even though the October one has not been fully implemented.

Canadian pricing continues to be undermined by the strong domestic currency, adequate or slightly bloated service centre inventories and weak demand from the main consuming industries. Moreover...