News

[SMM HRC Daily Trading Volume] On July 31, the combined daily HRC trading volume of sample enterprises in SMM’s four cities (Shanghai, Lecong, Tianjin, Ningbo) totaled 10,630 mt, down 50 mt, or 0.4% DoD, 11.34% YoY, and 32.72% Lunar YoY.

HRC prices weakened from the previous week, and overall transactions declined WoW. Supply side, the impact from rolling line maintenance decreased WoW, lifting overall HRC production. Demand side, apparent demand dropped WoW. Inventory side, total HRC inventory rose by 77,500 mt WoW, while mill inventory fell by 6,200 mt WoW. Social inventory, SMM statistics of 86 warehouses nationwide (large sample) showed HRC social inventory at 4.4773 million mt, up 83,700 mt WoW (+1.90% WoW) and up 40.27 mt YoY on a calendar basis. By region, except the northeast that saw slight destocking, all other markets experienced inventory buildup, with east China showing relatively large fluctuations. Cost side, the second round of coke price cuts was implemented, weakening cost support. Looking ahead, SMM expects hot metal production to bottom out and rebound, and with the US-Iran conflict pushing up ocean freight rates, iron ore prices may see a slight rebound. Meanwhile, a third round of coke price cuts still lingers, leaving overall cost support moderate. From a fundamental perspective, the HRC supply-demand imbalance continues to build, and combined with the PBoC Politburo meeting expectations falling short, there is no clear upward price catalyst. However, given that prices are already at relatively low levels, downside room is limited. HRC prices are expected to move sideways at the bottom next week, with the most-traded HRC contract trading in the 3,200-3,390 range.

Tata Steel's June-quarter results showed stronger realised prices and a richer product mix helped offset lower steel volumes, highlighting the growing role of value-added products and downstream integration in supporting margins beyond benchmark HRC prices.

[Turkey] Supported by rising billet costs, the Turkish long steel market held firm overall this week, though sluggish end-user demand prevented a broader price surge. In the rebar sector, after Karabük mill concluded large-volume billet transactions at higher prices, coupled with escalating fuel costs, mills in the Marmara region showed strong resistance to price cuts, pushing domestic rebar offers up to 580 USD/tonne EXW (excl. VAT). However, given tight buyer liquidity and earlier partial restocking, mainstream producers in Iskenderun and Izmir maintained quotes at 570 USD/tonne EXW, leaving export offers steady at 575 USD/tonne FOB amid subdued trading. In the wire rod market, buoyed by domestic price hikes from major producers, Turkish wire rod export quotes advanced in tandem to 585 USD/tonne FOB.

[Brazil] Brazilian imported flat steel prices remained largely stable this week, as surging freight rates effectively offset falling FOB offers from major origins. Hot-rolled coil (HRC) and cold-rolled coil (CRC) import prices held steady at 590 USD/tonne CFR and 700 USD/tonne CFR, respectively. Escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have driven up shipping fuel costs, counteracting the FOB price cuts made by Vietnamese mills amid sluggish Asian demand and falling raw material costs. In the domestic market, pressured by weak downstream demand, tight credit, and accumulating inventories, Brazilian ex-works HRC prices held flat this week, with no price hikes planned for August. Additionally, Brazilian slab export sales slowed this week, as major exporters finalized internal transfers to their own mills in Europe and the Americas at 575–585 USD/tonne FOB.

Tata Steel has approved capital expenditure of 3.54 billion USD for its subsidiary Neelachal Ispat Nigam Limited in Odisha. The project will add 4.8 million tonnes of annual capacity, raising the mill’s total capacity to 6.3 million tonnes. Following the expansion, Tata Steel’s operational capacity in India will reach 27.4 million tonnes per year, supporting its longer-term target of 40 million tonnes and strengthening its presence in higher-margin branded long steel products.

[Sheets & Plates] Today, export prices of HRC and other sheets & plates edged down $1/mt day-on-day, with HRC transaction prices at $481-485/mt. Export price adjustments were limited, and both market transaction prices and sentiment were subdued.

[SMM Steel] Market feedback indicates that the FOB selling price for September-shipment DC01 cold-rolled coil, size 1*1250*C, is $556/mt, with shipment from Tianjin port.

After Hyundai Steel in Dangjin , Primetals Technologies will improve Nucor’s Decatur Plant. The upgrade of continuous casting at Nucor’s Plant at Decatur will make the continuous casting machine wider and durable, together with water spray system. Besides that, Primetals Technologies will support machine design, segment frames, roll systems, etc.This upgrade will be expected to make the bearing load become stronger by 50% and improve its durability.

[Indonesia] Indonesia’s billet price decreases by 5 USD/tonne from 460 USD/tonne FOB to 455 USD/tonne FOB. This is due to sluggish demand and the growth of construction project happening in Indonesia is slow. However, due to the low price, the prediction of the demand is rising as the foreigner & traders will see Indonesia’s price is tempting while the supply remains the same.

[Molybdenum Flash] SMM July 31 news: A mine in Jiangxi tendered for sale of 40%-45% grade molybdenum concentrates (avg. Cu 2.85%, P 0.079%) at a transaction price of 5,360 yuan/mtu; and 35%-40% grade molybdenum concentrates (avg. Cu 4.78%, P 0.089%) at a transaction price of 5,320 yuan/mtu.

India's second-largest steelmaker, Tata Steel, reported first-quarter FY2026 operating results, with domestic crude steel production increasing by more than 10% YoY to 5.76 million tonnes, while steel deliveries rose nearly 9% YoY to 5.17 million tonnes, driven by higher output at its Jamshedpur and Kalinganagar plants. Meanwhile, elevated coking coal and iron ore prices pushed material costs up 12% year on year. The higher level of steel production indicates that Indian steel demand remains resilient, providing continued support for metallurgical coal consumption. Despite elevated coking coal costs, Tata Steel maintained strong production, suggesting that Indian steelmakers are unlikely to significantly reduce metallurgical coal procurement in the near term. In addition, the company has approved a 4.8 million tonnes per annum steelmaking capacity expansion at its subsidiary Neelachal Ispat Nigam, which could further support metallurgical coal demand over the longer term.