SUBSCRIBER NOTE: Platts increases frequency, updates specs for Latin America Slab assessment

S&P Global Platts has updated the specifications of the Latin America Slab assessment, in addition to increasing its published frequency from monthly to weekly, from October 13, 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 changed 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 changed 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 expanded the loading window under assessment from 4-6 weeks to 4-8 weeks.

Platts has also increased the volume reflected to 20,000-50,000 mt from 2,000-5,000 mt and now considers 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.