【SMM Steel】Yieh Phui Maintains Galvanized and Pre-painted Prices Flat, Sees Stable Global Steel Demand Outlook

[SMM Daily Hot-Rolled Coil Trading] On April 2, the total daily trading volume of hot-rolled coil among SMM sample enterprises in four cities (Shanghai, Lecong, Tianjin, and Ningbo) was 14,480 mt, down 480 mt day-on-day, or 3.2%, with solar-calendar YoY up 33.21% and lunar-calendar YoY down 19.24%.

[SMM Daily Brief Review of Coking Coal and Coke] In terms of supply, coke producers maintained relatively good operating rates, and coke supply increased steadily. Downstream rigid demand for coke still existed, coke producers' shipments were relatively smooth, and there was no obvious inventory pressure for the time being. Demand side, steel mills' daily average hot metal output increased, driving up rigid demand for coke. However, futures declined recently, and end-use demand remained weak, weakening market sentiment and reducing steel mills' purchase willingness. In summary, after the coke price hike, market sentiment weakened, and the coke market may remain temporarily stable in the short term.

【SMM Steel】Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe is pushing the EC for immediate trade protection to defend its grain-oriented electrical steel production. Cheap Asian imports have tripled since 2022 and soared 50% in 2025. Thyssenkrupp extended production cuts at two facilities. GO steel is essential for power grids but avoids existing quota cuts. The steelmaker warns 1,200 jobs and Europe's tech lead are at risk without a level playing field. Quick intervention is needed.