Steel Sheet Price Keeps Flat in Tokyo

The market price is flat at 65,000-67,000 yen per tonne for hot-rolled steel sheet, at 75,000-77,000 yen per tonne for pickled steel sheet and at 80,000-81,000yen per tonne for cold-rolled steel sheet in Tokyo.Steel sheet demand is currently increasing for automobiles, construction machine, industrial machine and construction materials. Coil centers continue high operations, though most is contracted manufacturing.Rolling lead time becomes longer at makers mainly for hot dip galvanized steel sheet for automobile. Coil center source said that arrival of hot dip galvanized steel sheet is in delay and the supply is extremely tightening.Japanese inventory of hot-rolled, cold-rolled and coated sheet steel still remains at over 4 million tonnes held by makers, distributors and processors for domestic shipment. However, orders are increasing for middle thick steel sheet under the influence of supply tightness of steel plate. Some traders are seeking price hike for middle thick steel sheet.Steel sheet market price might increase thanks to steady demand, while the influence of Chinese steel market is uncertain.