[SMM Steel] Vietnam HRC Prices Remain Under Pressure Amid Weak Demand

China Steel Export: [Flat products] Raw-material news lifts HRC export deals up 1 USD On July 14 China's HRC and other flat-product export prices rose 1 USD/tonne day on day, with HRC export deals at 486-492 USD/tonne FOB. Futures climbed quickly in the afternoon on raw-material headlines, but market feedback showed no clear pickup in actual enquiries or deals, with overseas markets still needing time to react. Some northern mills said heavy rainstorms kept them from issuing offers today, which may affect subsequent shipments. [Billet] Billet export FOB steady, Jiangyin at 456-459 USD On July 14 China's billet export FOB prices were largely steady, with Jiangyin port quoted at 456-459 USD/tonne. Market feedback indicated shipment slots generally booked into September, with a few orders pushed to October. China's price advantage versus Southeast Asia, India and Iran has narrowed, making high-priced Chinese export cargoes hard to sell, while mills showed limited appetite to take new orders, saying prices were unattractive. [Rebar] Rebar export offers steady, afternoon enquiries improve On July 14 China's rebar export offers held steady, with workable FOB prices at 480-485 USD/tonne. Market participants said futures rose in the afternoon, enquiries improved somewhat, and some traders concluded small volumes.

This week, the hot-rolled coil inventory in Zhangjiagang was 280,000 mt, up 1,000 mt WoW, an increase of 0.36%; up 24.44% YoY.

Today, the iron ore market showed relatively strong performance on the Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE), with the benchmark contract I2609 finally closing at 760.5 yuan/ton, up 1.81%.