Firm Sheet Steel Price in Tokyo

Sheet steel market price is firm at around 102,000-103,000 yen per tonne for hot rolled flat steel, 106,000-108,000 yen for pickling steel and 110,000-103,000 yen for cold rolled flat steel around Tokyo. The price is expected to keep the level with support by higher raw materials cost. The dealers’ shipment is slow after the speculative purchase by the buyers with expectation for higher price. The major makers including Nippon Steel, JFE Steel and Sumitomo Metal Industries increase the selling price by 10,000 yen per tonne additionally for July shipment. Tokyo Steel Manufacturing increased the price by 3,000 yen for June order while offshore makers increase the export price to Japan. The domestic sheet steel inventory decreased to the normal level when the stock level was 4.01 million tonnes at end of March. The domestic sheet steel supply is expected to get tighter due to high level activity of automakers and manufacturers.