Sheet Steel Price Keeps Flat in Tokyo

Sheet steel market price is flat at 68,000-69,000 yen per tonne for hot rolled sheet, at 74,000-76,000 yen for pickling steel and at 80,000-82,000 yen for cold rolled sheet around Tokyo.The makers’ shipment keeps good for contract users and keeps slow for distributors. The demand shows sign to improve for building applications but can’t pull whole demand.Coil centers’ processing volume is patchy pattern around Tokyo. Some centers get good order and others don’t have due to lower production of Nissan Motor or Sanyo Electric.The national sheet steel inventory is raising trend. The inventory for hot, cold and coated sheet increased at the ended of May for 3 months. The import products are increasing. Coil center source said some coil centers’ inventory stay in their depot due to slower shipment.Some dealers are reducing the selling price due the looser supply. However, makers keep their selling price. Consequently, dealers’ profit is reducing.