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North America  Stainless Steel prices in the US market remained stable in Q1 2023 due to steady demand from the construction industry, despite the financial turmoil in the US banking industry. Mill margins were under pressure due to rising input costs and the use of more scrap in furnaces. Stainless steel inventories were slow to deplete despite a significant drop in imports, and cautious buyers kept mills open to individual, non-contract negotiations. Multiple buyers were going through order books to decide how to approach buying over the next few months, as many were concerned that pricing could peak and fall off in the late second quarter and the second half of the year. As a result, SS 304 HR Plate prices for Ex Texas settled at USD 3990/MT. Asia Pacific In the Chinese market, the Stainless Steel (Flat) prices were bearish due to high inventory levels and subdued downstream construction demand. Stainless steel manufacturers issued limited goods last quarter, and this quart...

North America   Stainless Steel prices in the US market remained stable in Q1 2023 due to steady demand from the construction industry, despite the financial turmoil in the US banking industry. Mill margins were under pressure due to rising input costs and the use of more scrap in furnaces. Stainless steel inventories were slow to deplete despite a significant drop in imports, and cautious buyers kept mills open to individual, non-contract negotiations. Multiple buyers were going through order books to decide how to approach buying over the next few months, as many were concerned that pricing could peak and fall off in the late second quarter and the second half of the year. As a result, SS 304 HR Plate prices for Ex Texas settled at USD 3990/MT. Asia Pacific In the Chinese market, the Stainless Steel (Flat) prices were bearish due to high inventory levels and subdued downstream construction demand. Stainless steel manufacturers issued limited goods last quarter, and this quar...

North America In the North American region, the pricing trend for Stainless-Steel Round Bar varied over the three months in the first quarter of 2023. Initially, there was a stagnancy in the pricing trend for SS Round Bar due to consistent downstream inquiries. However, stocks available in the spot market increased significantly as stainless-steel factories increased product distribution. In February, the rates for SS Round Bar increased by more than 1.2% despite a lack of forward visibility and persistent recessionary concerns that continue to erode buyer confidence in the United States. However, the prices for SS Round Bar declined in March due to fewer spot sales or purchases owing to slow demand amid plentiful inventory available in the domestic market. Furthermore, weak orders from end-user industries were observed as they were wary of purchasing it at offered prices in such a volatile market. Therefore, prices of Stainless Steel Round Bar for Ex Philadelphia settled at USD 7480...

North America   Stainless Steel prices in the US market remained stable in Q1 2023 due to steady demand from the construction industry, despite the financial turmoil in the US banking industry. Mill margins were under pressure due to rising input costs and the use of more scrap in furnaces. Stainless steel inventories were slow to deplete despite a significant drop in imports, and cautious buyers kept mills open to individual, non-contract negotiations. Multiple buyers were going through order books to decide how to approach buying over the next few months, as many were concerned that pricing could peak and fall off in the late second quarter and the second half of the year. As a result, SS 304 HR Plate prices for Ex Texas settled at USD 3990/MT. Asia Pacific In the Chinese market, the Stainless Steel (Flat) prices were bearish due to high inventory levels and subdued downstream construction demand. Stainless steel manufacturers issued limited goods last quarter, and this quar...

North America As the fourth quarter of 2022 ended, Stainless Steel prices showed a dwindling price movement due to falling downstream inquiries and higher inventories. Buyers were focused in October on reducing inventories across all flat products through the end of the year, which kept them out of the spot market. Mills had attempted to remain competitive with import offers despite falling scrap prices, as downstream demand from new projects did not warrant additional spot buys or bookings of larger imports or rising financing costs. Mill margins were under pressure as input costs rose and the continued push to use more scrap in furnaces. According to manufacturers, downstream demand was difficult, and any increase in scrap was likely to erode mill margins. Thus, the SS 304 HR Plate (6 x 1250 x 2000) prices for Ex Texas (USA) settled at USD 3978/MT. Asia Pacific Stainless Steel (Flat) prices in the Chinese market edged downward in the fourth quarter of 2022 due to higher invent...