[SMM Stainless Steel Daily Review] Finished steel and raw material prices pulled back in tandem, easing cost pressure; stainless steel smelting profits remained stable.
[SMM Stainless Steel Daily Review] Finished Products and Raw Materials Pull Back in Tandem, Cost Pressure Eases, Stainless Steel Smelting Profits Hold Steady
This week, stainless steel finished product and raw material prices pulled back in tandem, with steel mill profits basically stable and pulling back slightly. Based on the 304 cold-rolled category, the profit margin calculated from current raw material costs recovered to 1.42%, achieving positive profitability. However, dragged by previously purchased high-priced raw material inventory, the profit margin calculated from inventory costs remained at -2.54%, and the pressure from destocking on actual profitability has not yet been fully lifted.
This week, nickel pig iron raw material prices fell notably. Under macro headwinds, SHFE nickel moved lower, and NPI market sentiment turned pessimistic. Demand declined amid expectations for production cuts at stainless steel mills, and the purchase price for stainless steel scrap was lowered during the week, further pressuring high-grade NPI prices. With the market broadly bearish, prices consolidated on a subdued note. As of this Friday, the tax-inclusive delivered price of Indonesian high-grade NPI with 10-12% grade in China fell by 17.5 yuan/nickel unit to 1,022.5 yuan/nickel unit.
This week, stainless steel scrap prices fell. Under macro headwinds, SS futures declined notably, and steel mills lowered guidance prices for finished products, with spot prices pulling back and exerting direct pressure. High-grade NPI and high-carbon ferrochrome fell in tandem, and steel mill purchase prices were lowered, making it difficult for stainless steel scrap to move independently. Although the cost advantage of stainless steel scrap over high-grade NPI widened, unresolved tax invoice issues, cautious year-end purchasing by steel mills, and continued declines in production schedules kept demand weak, making it hard to reverse the downtrend. In the short term, prices are expected to continue consolidating on a subdued note. As of this Friday, the tax-exclusive price of mainstream 304 off-cuts in Shanghai remained stable at 9,700-9,800 yuan/mt.
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