[Ferro-alloys.com] Prices for FeSi held flat week-on-week in the US and Europe. However, several market players speculated that prices would trend higher in the coming weeks. In the US, several pieces of business were booked at 96-103 cents per lb, ex-warehouse. There were reports that multiple traders were caught short on material given a delay in their shipments. Extreme cold, snow, and icy conditions were the culprit, although it was unconfirmed if these were the sole contributors that led to the inter-trade business. One seller added, “[A steel company] has been scrambling for material since they did not book their full requirements on contract.” In the European Union, prices have been firm since mid- January as mills were looking to quickly close on spot material. Current prices are €1,100-1,130 per mt, ex- warehouse Rotterdam. Meanwhile, there were some expectations that prices could rise through mid-quarter given better than expected market conditions coming off the recent winter holidays in December 2013.