SUBSCRIBER NOTE: Platts to increase frequency, update specs for Latin America Slab assessment

S&P Global Platts will update the specifications of the Latin America Slab assessment, in addition to increasing its frequency from monthly to weekly, from October 6, 2017.

Feedback from market participants supported a move to a more regular assessment frequency. Spot liquidity in the global slab market has increased, and Platts has observed that the Brazilian slab export trade can show marked movement on a weekly basis.

In addition, Platts will change the assessment name from "Slab LatAm Exp FOB Latin Am Port" to "Slab FOB Brazil" because the assessment directly reflects loadings from Brazilian ports.

And to capture the majority of Brazilian slab shipments, Platts will change the basis location from FOB Vitoria port to FOB Brazil, including data from all Brazilian ports.

Observed trade data showed that delivery lead times have also increased; therefore, Platts will expand the loading window under assessment from 4-6 weeks to 4-8 weeks.

Platts also will increase the volume reflected to 20,000-50,000 mt from 2,000-5,000 mt and will consider the SAE 1006 quality slab in addition to the current A36/A36M grades.

Platts also received strong market feedback in favor of maintaining the assessment's standard payment term as "At Sight."

Please send any feedback, comments or questions to adriana.carvalho@spglobal.com and pricegroup@spglobal.com.

For written comments, please provide a clear indication if comments are not intended for publication by Platts for public viewing.

Platts will consider all comments received and will make comments not marked as confidential available upon request.