Weak Angle and Channel Price in Tokyo

Equal angle steel market price is weak at 74,000-75,000 yen per tonne for product with 6 millimeters thick and 50 mm width around Tokyo. Channel price is also weak at 80,000-81,000 yen for product with 5 mm thick, 50 by 100 mm width. The small steel structural demand is uncertain when the construction activity is mainly for large scaled building and reinforced concrete structure represents large portion for the smaller buildings. The dealers try to keep the price level. However, they could have tough time when the demand could take more time to recover. The dealers’ inventory increased by 3% for equal angle and channel at the end of May from April, according to Tokyo Steel Product Dealers Association. The makers’ output reduction couldn’t reduce the inventory though their order backlog decreased. The makers and dealers expect the building demand recovers with start of revised building standard law after the delay of building activity. However, the recover could be in July and the immediate activity is likely to keep slow.