Weak H-Beam Price in Tokyo

H-beam market price is decreasing from 73,000-75,000 yen per tonne for base size around Tokyo. The low-priced transaction increases when the inquiries remain low. The users reduced the bid price when Tokyo Steel Manufacturing reduced the H-beam selling price by 3,000 yen. The price would gradually decrease due to the slow demand and weak tone.

The dealers’ H-beam inventory seemed to decrease slightly at the end of July from June. The dealers’ purchase volume seemed to decrease while the shipment was as low as June. The purchasing volume would decrease more in August when Nippon Steel skips the order receipt in August.

Electric furnace steel makers’ H-beam selling price is 15,000 yen per tonne lower than integrated steel makers’ price at the minimum. The dealers selling price is shifting to lower level when they are forced to set the reselling price based on the electric furnace steel makers’ selling price instead of the integrated steel makers. The dealers cannot make money at the low priced transactions but they have no choice under the buyers’ market.