In week 10 - 17/4, China steel market inventory continued to decline, demand downstream generally improved, especially steel bars, wire rods and hot rolled steel. However, the supply is still increasing. The spread of the Covid-19 epidemic directly and indirectly affects global steel exports.

As of April 16, Chinese steel product inventories reached more than 21.7 million tons in 33 cities and ports, down more than 1 million tons, or 4.4% compared to the previous week (3-10 / 4), according to SteelHome data.

For hot rolled coil, the price of HRC Q235 2.75mm in 28 major production areas increased by 25 yuan / ton compared to the previous week, reaching 3,530 yuan / ton. Decreased trading volume and inventories indicate that demand downstream is increasing. However, the market can still oversupply as steel mills increase HRC output.

HR strip also traded positively during the week. Sales of steel pipe factories increased sharply and factory price increased accordingly. On April 17, strip steel price of 2.75mm * 235mm size recorded 3,504 yuan / ton, up 41 yuan / ton from the previous week; while steel prices 5.5mm * 685mm increased 36 yuan / ton to 3,492 yuan / ton.

As for cold rolled steel, as of April 17, the CRC price of 0.5mm and SPCC 1mm decreased by more than 10 yuan / ton to 4,131 yuan / ton and 3,899 yuan / ton respectively.
 

Stainless steel prices in major areas of China. Source: SteelHome
 

Stainless steel market is also subject to many fluctuations. Specifically, prices of stainless steel 304S and 201S increased sharply but prices of 430S decreased slightly. Prices of input materials such as nickel also increased slightly. Some major stainless steel manufacturers such as TISCO, Eastern Special Steel, Hongwang Group have sharply increased steel prices in the past week.

On the Shanghai exchange, the 304 stainless steel futures contract for June delivery increased 490 yuan / ton to 12,945 yuan / ton since April 10.
 

In Foshan market, stainless steel inventories of 15 warehouses reached 281,000 tons as of April 15, down 49,000 tons from March 30, including 152,000 tons of cold-rolled steel products (CR) and 129,000 tons of products. hot rolled steel products (HR).

Meanwhile, in the Wuxi market, inventories fell by 52,000 tons to 486,000 tons, including 236,000 tons of CR and 250,000 tons of HR.

For construction steel, the price of fast-cut steel wire HPB300 8mm and HRB400 18-25mm steel bar reaches 3,720 yuan / ton and 3,586 yuan / ton respectively, up 10 and 16 yuan / ton from October 10. / 4.

Increasing investment in large projects and infrastructure construction has led to an increase in steel trading volume, a decrease in inventories and a slight increase in steel prices. However, the supply pressure is still difficult to reduce when the blast furnace operation speed at the plants reaches a record, although Duong Son province has begun to limit production to protect the environment.

For plate market, the average size Q235 price reached 3,985 yuan / ton and Q 235 20mm reached 3,686 yuan / ton, up slightly from the previous week.

According to the National Shipbuilding Industry Association, in the first three months of the year, China's total completed shipbuilding tonnage reached 7 million DWT, down 27% from the same period last year. New ship orders increased 6.5% to 4.9 million DWT. By the end of March, additional orders dropped 6% year-on-year to 79.6 million DWT. Shipbuilding exports are expected to decline in the Covid-19 epidemic.

Structural steel market also fluctuates in the downtrend last week. The factory said it will reduce ex-works prices by 150-200 yuan / ton for this steel line. Special steel inventories fell 33,000 tons to 728,600 tons, according to SteelHome data.

China plated and plated steel prices are mixed. Specifically, the average price of galvanized steel 0.5mm and 1.0mm of 18 major production areas was 4,598 yuan / ton and 4,292 yuan / ton, unchanged from the previous week.

However, the price of color coated steel is 0.3326mm and 0.476mm, corresponding to 13 yuan / ton and 17 yuan / ton to 5,745 yuan / ton and 5,497 yuan / ton respectively. Both Shougang Group and Benxi Group cut down ex-works prices of galvanized and colored steel in May.

Building materials.org (TH / KTTD)