[SMM Sheets & Plates Daily Review] HRC futures recover slightly, intraday trading improves somewhat
Today, HRC futures first fell and then rose, with the most-traded HC2701 contract closing at 3,161 yuan/mt, up 0.29% intraday. Spot market transaction prices were mostly raised by 10-20 yuan/mt from previous levels, and intraday trading improved somewhat. The demand side is the main constraint, as order recovery in downstream manufacturing sectors such as automobiles, machinery, and welded pipes remains slow. Downstream enterprises maintain a low-inventory strategy, purchasing only small volumes as needed. According to regional inventory data released by SMM, performance was mixed. Zhangjiagang and Ningbo saw inventory buildup, while Tangshan, Shanghai, and Lecong mostly saw destocking. Considering that maintenance at multiple steel mills' rolling lines will be implemented later, the decline on the cost side has narrowed slightly, providing some bottom support for HRC prices. HRC prices are expected to move sideways in the short term, with limited room both upward and downward.