Steel Sheet Price Keeps Flat with Potential Increase in Tokyo

Steel sheet price is flat with potential increase in Tokyo at 67,000-69,000 yen per tonne for hot-rolled steel sheet, 75,000-77,000 yen per tonne for pickled steel sheet and 80,000-81,000 yen per tonne for cold-rolled steel sheet.Coil centers around Tokyo are increasing their selling prices mainly for hot coils when inventory of hot-rolled, cold-rolled and coated steel sheets decreased by 4.8% to 4.144 million tonnes in Japan at the end of March from February and overseas steel makers and Tokyo Steel Manufacturing announced price hike.On the other hand, shipment is not active at dealers. Demand seems to become lower for building construction and integrated purchasing by major users, including auto makers, impacts the shipment. Inventories of pickled and cold-rolled steel sheets are still surplus in the market.However, supply and demand balance is being improved gradually. Steel sheet market price could turn to the increase after short period.