Flat H-Beam Price in Tokyo

H-beam market price is around 75,000 yen per tonne at dealers’ sites for product with 200 by 100 millimeters width around Tokyo. Tokyo Steel Manufacturing increased the selling price by 2,000 yen for June order but the market players expect the move doesn’t change the market trend immediately. The market price is likely to keep the level when the distributors’ shipment is still slow.Tokyo Steel’s price hike will support the market price though the distributors would have trouble to pass the higher cost price immediately under the slow market. The market mood could turn into positive and the distributors would refrain from offering at extremely lower price. Some expected makers would reduce the selling price. However, Tokyo Steel increased the price to the level of integrated steel makers. The distributors’ inventory is expected to decrease in May from April due to output reduction by integrated steels. The better supply balance could pave the way for stable price. The distributors could wait the demand recovery when the market improves with Tokyo Steel’s price hike and without potential overstock burden.