SUS304 Cold Rolled Price Downs by 20,000 yen in Tokyo, Osaka

Nickel series cold rolled stainless steel sheet price decreased by 20,000 yen to 330,000 yen per tonne for SUS 304 with 2 millimeters thick in Tokyo and Osaka. The dealers reduced the reselling price to secure the sales when the inventory is increasing since summer. The dealers apparently try to reduce the inventory before the purchase price increases in November.

The dealers’ inventory of nickel series cold rolled stainless steel decreased by 1.0% to 49,163 tonnes in September from August, which decreased for 2 months in a row, according to the national dealers’ group. However, the inventory was 16% higher than the recent bottom of 42,290 tonnes in March. Despite the demand season, the shipment would remain weak after October, according to an executive of major dealer.

The market price has been decreasing gradually in Osaka when the dealers try to secure order even with lower price since summer. However, domestic stainless steel makers would increase the selling price to cover higher nickel cost. The dealers would experience hard time to improve the profitability.