Strip Market Report April 2014

Most steel mills pushed up ex-works prices of HR strip at the beginning of the month, supported by the increase in raw material prices and tight supply of HR strip in the market. But they had to cut their list prices at the end of the month, dragged down by the soft demand from end users.Asian Metal Copyright However, the market stocks of HR strip in East and South China remained at low levels, so prices in these regions did not decrease sharply.Asian Metal Copyright The market was active in the first half of the month, but calmed down later on.Asian Metal Copyright The sales performance deteriorated in the last two weeks of the month, while raw material prices continued on a downward trend.Asian Metal Copyright However, the market stocks of HR strip in East and South China remained at low levels, so prices in these regions did not decrease sharply.Asian Metal Copyright .Asian Metal Copyright The sales performance deteriorated in the last two weeks of the month, while raw material prices continued on a downward trend.Asian Metal Copyright .Asian Metal Copyright Under such conditions, insiders deem that the HR strip price is likely to go down slightly next month.