Flat H-Beam Price in Tokyo

H-beam market price is flat at around 80,000 yen per tonne for 200 by 100 millimeters width around Tokyo. The demand is expected to keep slow when the distributors’ shipment is very low level due to delay of building start process under confusion caused by new building standard law started in June 2007. The market price could keep the level though the distributors try to pass higher cost price after makers’ hike. The distributors try to find the market condition when makers will announce price and supply volume for February next week. The transaction is still slow in the distributors’ market just after the beginning of the New Year business in the week. The distributors expect the makers could increase the selling price again to cover higher cost for raw materials, energy and freight. The distributors try to pass the higher cost price on the reselling price to improve the profitability.