Japan Higher H-Beam Stock in October

Nippon Steel announced on Tuesday H-beam inventory held by members of Tokiwa-kai, which is group of distributors dealing Nippon Steel’s products, increased by 4.2% to 278,000 tonnes at end of October from September. The inventory exceeded 270,000 tonnes for the first time in 5 months when the demand was very low due to transition process for new building standard law. The inventory increased by 7.4% to 71,100 tonnes in Tokyo at end of October from September. The stock increased by 2.7% to 41,800 tonnes in Osaka and by 2.9% to 35,300 tonnes in Nagoya. The inventory increased by 5.0% to total 148,200 tonnes in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya. The dealers’ shipment decreased in each area in October. The shipment was 24,699 tonnes in Osaka, which was around 3,400 tonnes higher than September but the daily shipment was lower than September due to 4 days more operation days. Nippon Steel tries to reduce the inventory through further reduction of the supply for distributors for November order.