[SMM Stainless Steel Flash] April 20, 2026: Stainless Steel Market Highlights

Published: Apr 20, 2026 17:59

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Tsingshan Group released its May futures price list today, raising all 300-series grades by RMB300/MT, with floor prices set for 304 cold-rolled and hot-rolled coil. Liyang Stainless and Delong followed with matching increases. In Chinese Taiwan, 304 cold-rolled coil returned to a 3-year high of NT$70,500/MT, with a 6th consecutive monthly increase widely expected in May at NT$3,000–4,000/MT. On prices, 304 futures closed at RMB14,925/MT; Wuxi and Foshan spot cold-rolled averaged RMB14,900/MT; 316L averaged RMB28,200/MT in Wuxi and RMB28,250/MT in Foshan; 201 and 430 cold-rolled held at RMB8,700/MT and RMB7,800/MT respectively. While firm raw material costs continue to underpin prices, the divergence between futures pullback and weak downstream demand remains a key market dynamic to watch.

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