Strong H-Beam Price in Tokyo

H-beam market price is strong at around 68,000-70,000 yen per tonne for 200 by 100 millimeters width around Tokyo. Dealers are trying to raise the reselling price to follow H-beam makers’ price hike by 5,000 yen per tonne for September orders. The market price is expected to slightly increase despite of low demand.

Dealers’ inventory seems to increase slightly at the end of August around Tokyo. Dealers currently take precedence on the reselling price. Dealers’ shipment volume decreased due to the hike. Dealers’ inventory to shipment rate would rise to 2.5 months at the end of August. Many dealers suppose H-beam orders keeps low in September. Their shipment volume may maintain weak for a while.

Dealers set the price hike range flexibly. Some dealers offer as high as 72,000 yen per tonne. Dealers aim to fix the reselling price at 70,000 yen. However, they are in hard negotiations with H-beam users because ferrous scrap price lowered to below 30,000 yen. Dealers try to improve profitability by price hike.