Firm Stainless Plate Steel in Tokyo

Stainless steel plate market price is firm at 710,000 yen per tonne for SUS304 hot rolled coil cut plate and at 810,000 yen for plate mill products around Tokyo. The price increased by 30,000 yen from mid-June though the distributors’ inventory increases. The distributors try to pass the higher cost price after the makers’ hikes. A dealer source said they try to improve the price level before the market expects lower price with recent drop of nickel ingot price. The makers are likely to reduce the selling price in July and August when nickel ingot price keeps the current level. The dealers try to minimize the purchase and inventory volume to avoid price drop risk. Nippon Steel & Sumikin Stainless Steel operates plate mill of Yawata plant at full capacity. The firm could reduce the output level to improve the supply balance under higher dealers’ stock and lower nickel price. A maker source said the firm hopes tighter supply balance.