Weak Ni Series Stainless Steel Price and Strong Cr Series Price in Tokyo

Cold-rolled flat stainless steel market price is weak at around 540,000-550,000 yen per tonne for SUS304 grade base size while is strong tone at around 245,000 yen for SUS430 around Tokyo. The price is likely to rise to 250,000 yen for SUS 430.Nickel ingot price is rising to US$ 13.39 per pound on Saturday. However, nickel series stainless products shipment is slower from the ended of last year due to the anticipation of a fall.Dealer source prospected the market price would rise from the beginning of 2008. But the market price is likely to make a time for the rising.In contract, chrome series stainless steel products demand is increasing thanks to alternatives from nickel series products or undervalued. Dealer source said users are starting to understand the quality of chrome series products and the demand for chrome series is likely to keep at the moment.