During the week ending October 13, steel plate prices in the Chinese domestic market have generally continued to follow a downward trend, while transaction activity has remained at low levels. Average steel plate prices in China can be viewed in the SteelOrbis price reports section.
During the given week, due to the rising trend in steel futures prices and semi-finished steel prices in China, domestic rebar and HRC prices have seen a rebound, while steel plate prices have continued to move on a soft trend due to the lack of any improvement seen in demand from downstream industries. Amid decreases in traders' sale prices, price competition in the local steel plate market has increased. However, since inventory levels in the steel plate market have not risen significantly after the National Day Holiday and as prices are already at relatively low levels, domestic steel plate prices are unlikely to indicate further declines. It is expected that steel plate prices in the Chinese domestic market will move sideways in the coming week.