Firm H-Beam Price in Tokyo

H-beam market price is firm at around 86,000-88,000 yen per tonne for product with 200 by 100 millimeters width around Tokyo. The dealers try to increase the reselling price to cover higher cost price when Nippon Steel increases the selling price by 12,000 yen per tonne for February order. The price is moving to higher level with the pressure by supply side. The market players wait the announcement for March price for distributors by Tokyo Steel Manufacturing next week. The dealers expect Tokyo Steel would increase the price after wide hike for February order. Tokyo Steel could increase the spot price when the firm stops the order receipt recently. The dealers will increase the reselling price to the level of Tokyo Steel’s spot price. The dealers’ inventory decreased for 2 months in a row to 67,406 tonnes around Tokyo at end January, according to Nippon Steel. The supply balance is getting normal when the makers reduce the supply for distributors while the dealers’ shipment was still as low as less than 24,000 tonnes in January.