Weak Ni Series and Strong Cr Series Stainless Price in Tokyo

The market price of cold rolled stainless steel sheet is weak tone at around 610,000-620,000 yen per tonne for nickel series products or SUS 304 and is flat with strong tone at around 245,000-250,000 yen for chrome series products or SUS 430 around Tokyo. The market inventory didn’t decrease in September because the dealers’ shipment for nickel series product was slower in September than August.Distributors’ inventory of nickel and chrome series products increased to 132,918 tonnes by 6.4% in August from July or increased by 35.5% from a year ago. The inventory for nickel series cold rolled steel sheet increased by 3.9% in August from July and increased for 9consecutive months. The inventory was 2.92 months of the shipment in August and hit a new record high, according to Japan Stainless Coil Center Industry Association. Dealer source said the inventory is expected to decrease from September, but, it sounds that dealers’ inventory didn’t reduce.The demand for nickel series cold rolled products is slow for domestic dealers. The amount of the order reduced by 45% in August from July, according to Japan Stainless Steel Association.