H-Beam Dealers Try to Increase Reselling Price in Tokyo

H-beam market price is flat at around 74,000 yen per tonne for base size around Tokyo. The dealers’ shipment remains slow after New Year holiday as late 2011. The dealers get lower order. The market price would not increase immediately despite of reselling price hike effort by the dealers when the users are reluctant to accept higher price.

The inventory held by the dealers in December was in line with the level in November. Some dealers’ stock apparently decreased. The dealers’ shipment in January is same pace as the volume in December. One dealer source sees the shipment is higher than originally expected. The dealers reduced the stock to around normal level. However, the price would not increase immediately due to slow demand. Lower ferrous scrap purchase price by electric furnace steel makers also impacts on H-beam market.

The dealers planned to increase the reselling price just after Tokyo Steel Manufacturing announced 3,000 yen per tonne of price hike for H-beam. However, the dealers now try to avoid lower priced transactions.