NSSC to Keep Flat Products Price for April

Nippon Steel & Sumikin Stainless Steel (NSSC) announced on Wednesday the firm left the selling price of stainless cold rolled flat steel and plate both for nickel and chrome series products unchanged for the distributors for April order. The mechanism canceled higher nickel cost and lower yen rate. The firm decided to keep the base price to watch energy and raw materials cost.

Nickel price increased by US$ 0.79 to averaged US$ 8.49 per pound in March from February average. Yen rate decreased by 4.06 yen to 83.46 yen per US dollar.

NSSC sees domestic market started to show sign to recovery since late January. The firm recognized the highest sales of nickel series cold rolled flat steel in February since March 2011. The firm expects the shipment could stable after March when the contract users’ demand recovered the level before the major earthquake after the users competed production adjustment.

The firm expects higher demand for plate especially for liquid natural gas thermal power plant and civil works. The firm also expects the offshore demand increases for desalination and energy in Middle East and Asia.