China: Billet prices edge up, SHFE rebar dips d-o-d

  • Chinese billet prices edged up by RMB 10/t ($1/t, 0.3%) d-o-d to RMB 3,000/t ($424/t) on 5 Dec, while SHFE rebar slipped by RMB 13/t ($2/t, 0.4%) to RMB 3,107/t ($439/t).
  • Chinese steel output dropped to an eight-month low, improving supply-demand balance and slightly supporting billet prices despite a quiet market.
  • Softer raw material prices and higher inventories pressured finished steel prices, weighing on SHFE rebar.