Mainstream ex-China steel plate offer prices from mills have been heard at $820-830/mt FOB for January shipment as of today, Monday, December 6, moving sideways compared to November 29. The reference deal prices have also been stable at $810-820/mt FOB to South America and Southeast Asia, but overall trading activity has been limited.
During the given week, China’s local steel plate prices have indicated slight rises amid the increasing trend in HRC futures prices. Meanwhile, downstream users have mostly held a cautious attitude towards the prospects for the future market, which may exert a negative impact on steel plate prices. It is thought that steel plate prices in the Chinese domestic market may move sideways in the coming week.
Average Q235 20 mm steel plate spot prices in China have gained RMB 37/mt ($5.8/mt) week on week to RMB 5,110/mt ($802/mt) ex-warehouse, according to SteelOrbis’ information.
As of December 6, HRC futures at the Shanghai Futures Exchange are standing at RMB 4,546/mt ($713.7/mt), rising by RMB 13/mt ($2/mt) or 2.0 percent since November 29.
$1 = RMB 6.3702