This new bi-annual service from GFMS Metals Consulting builds on the success of the Steel Market Forecast Briefing, which provides regular analysis on the steel sector. It was launched in June 2007. The Steel Market Strategic Briefing is the most comprehensive and cost effective source of analysis on the long-term prospects for the flat product steel industry. Although the report covers all the major regional markets - North America, China, Europe, Asia and the Emerging Markets - the service is structured to allow companies to subscribe just to the regions that affect their business. This enables subscribers to enjoy significant savings compared to other research services.

Report coverage

The recent bull market has raised many issues for the steel industry:

Consolidation: Will the trend continue, which companies will participate, and will it be as a consolidator, or as a takeover target. Also what are the implications of consolidation for steel pricing?

China: Will China maintain its remarkable expansion of both domestic production and consumption? How will China's net trade position alter over the next five years?

India: Will the country be the next China in terms of demand and production growth?

The other BRICs: (Brazil, Russia, India, China): How will rapid consumption growth in Russia and Brazil affect these countries massive steel exports?

The original Tigers: What are the prospects for the South Korean and Taiwanese steel industries. Also the enlarged group of ASEAN countries represents a dynamic and fast growing steel market?

Is growth within the emerging economies in addition to, or at the expense of, consumption in the OECD countries?

Is the outlook for the steelmaking industries in the mature economies of Japan, Europe and North America survival or prosperity?

How much new supply is in the pipeline?

What are prospects for raw materials over the next five years?

How different will the price cycle out to 2012 be compared to previous cycles?

Report structure

The report will consider the general factors that affect the global flat product as well providing an in-depth analysis on the key regional markets. The report examines each major country in terms of production, consumption and trade for each major product group and is an invaluable resource for short-term and medium-term strategic planning. The report will also provide annual average price projections for plate, hot-rolled coil, cold-rolled coil and hot-dipped galv out to 2012. A high and low case scenario will also be considered.

This data will be updated twice a year and ongoing revisions for forecasts will be made. This provides subscribers with an up-to-date perspective on developments in the global market.

> Steel Market Strategic Briefing - Brochure & Order Form.