Stainless steel inventory has declined for five consecutive weeks, and the macro boosting effect remains. Traders are offering discounts to facilitate transactions. [SMM Analysis]

SMM reported on August 7 that during this week (August 1-7, 2025), the total inventory in the two major stainless steel markets of Wuxi and Foshan showed a destocking trend, declining from 966,200 mt on July 24, 2025, to 954,000 mt on August 7, representing a 1.26% WoW decrease.

This week, the social inventory of stainless steel continued to decline for the fifth consecutive week. During the week, the SS futures climbed further, driving up the stainless steel spot prices. Despite downstream end-users' low acceptance of the rising stainless steel prices and their increased wait-and-see sentiment, the continuous rise in spot quotes provided bargaining space for traders. Trading this week mainly relied on traders' concessions, with the overall trading volume remaining stable. Additionally, due to a decrease in arrivals this week, the social inventory of stainless steel was further reduced. However, with an expected increase in stainless steel planned production in August and the peak consumption season yet to arrive, there are still doubts in the market about whether the market strength driven by macro boosts can be sustained.

200-series: In Wuxi, the inventory of the 200-series increased from 97,500 mt to 98,700 mt, a 1.23% increase; in Foshan, it increased from 154,600 mt to 155,900 mt, a 0.84% increase. 300-series: In Wuxi, the inventory of the 300-series decreased from 354,000 mt to 349,300 mt, a 1.33% decrease; in Foshan, it decreased from 219,500 mt to 211,200 mt, a 3.78% decrease. 400-series: In Wuxi, the inventory of the 400-series decreased from 83,100 mt to 82,200 mt, a 1.08% decrease; in Foshan, it decreased from 57,500 mt to 56,700 mt, a 1.39% decrease.