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 price is likely to keep the level under very slow building activity. The dealers’ sales volume was higher in October than September due to more trading days. However, the daily volume was flat as September and 10-20% lower than a year earlier level, according to dealer sources. The makers increased the selling price in August and September and higher priced materials reach the dealers. Some dealers said the inventory shifts to higher priced materials completely in the month. With the higher cost price, they cannot make money under current market level. They could make loss unless they could increase the reselling price. Japanese government tries to support small- and mid-sized companies in building industry. Such companies try to get certain support to go through the tough time. The government tries to improve the building permitting process including smooth procedure for design change. However, the steel materials dealers have no sign for better demand activity.