Japan H-Beam Stock Shows First Decrease in 7 Months

Japanese H-beam inventory held by members of Tokiwa-kai, which is a group of distributors dealing Nippon Steel’s products, decreased by 1.3% to 229,000 tonnes at the end of November from October, according to Nippon Steel. The stock decreased for the first time in 7 months. Nippon Steel analyzes makers’ output cut contributed to the lower stock. The inventory rate was 2.55 months of shipment, up by 0.02 points. Nippon Steel continues 70% H-beam output compared with the usual level.

The stock in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya decreased by 2.9% to 139,762 tonnes at the end of November from October. The inventory around Tokyo increased by 2,800 tonnes while decreased to about 7,000 tonnes around Osaka.

The delivered products volume to dealers n Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya decreased by 13.6% to 48,938 tonnes, which became below 50,000 tonnes for the first time in 7 months. Dealers’ shipment in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya was 53,145 tonnes, up by 4.5% month-to-month while down by 2.2% year-to-year. The inventor y rate lowered by 0.2 points to 2.83 months of shipment.

The inventory in other areas increased by 1.2% to 89,300 tonnes. The inventory rate rose by 0.27 points to 2.44 months of shipment.