SHANGHAI, Jan. 17 (SMM) – Transactions of NPI slowed this week.  According to SMM sources, mainstream traded prices for NPI stabilized. Although a limited amount of NPI was sold at low prices, overall traded prices were not affected.

SMM believes that the following reasons are below slow down in NPI transactions. According to SMM sources, it usually takes 20-30 days for ordered NPI to be delivered and to be paid by stainless steel mills. As the Chinese New Year holiday is coming, stainless steel mills’ purchasing interest is low for the time is pressing.

Second, some stainless steel mills already replenished stock replenishments, so they reduced purchases this week. According to sources from Taiyuan I/S, Baosteel, Fijian Dingxing Nickel Industry, and Zhangjiagang Pohang Stainless Steel already replenished ample stocks. A few stainless steel mills even replenished stocks sufficient for consumption till early March.

With regard to traded prices of NPI, the low purchasing interest may weigh on NPI prices.