Firm Cr Stainless Flat Price, Weak Ni Series in Tokyo

Stainless cold rolled flat steel market price is flat at around 500,000 yen per tonne for SUS304 base size while the price is firm at around 270,000 yen for SUS430 around Tokyo. The market expects the price of nickel series products could decrease more due to lower nickel ingot price. The price is likely to increase for chrome series products while the nickel series products could keep weak.The dealers’ shipment is slow for nickel series products. The dealers report the buyers minimize the purchase volume as much as the immediate requirement while the dealers’ inventory adjustment finished. The dealers expect the demand could increase in July-September from April-June but the demand could take more time to recover, especially for building applications. The market price of chrome series products is expected to increase toward autumn. The market expects the higher price and the dealers’ shipment keeps high level when ferrochrome price increased by 13 US cents per pound for July-September.