India: Sponge iron prices rise on active buying – 23 Feb

India’s sponge iron market witnessed a rise in prices today ranging from INR 100-300/t in almost all principal locations. This can be attributed to active spot trading coupled with buying interest.

PDRI market prices closed at a range of INR 24,900-27,600/t and CDRI prices, at INR 26,400-31,250/t.

Active bookings were seen across regions today, which led to a rise in daily spot trade volumes.

About 22,650 tonnes (t) of sponge iron transactions were recorded in the country on Friday compared to 15,250 t on 22 February.

According to sources, the price rise is also due to the decent performance of semi-finished and finished steel prices. Billet prices increased by INR 150-500/t in key markets.

Rationale –

Prices have been derived based on transactions, offers, bids and indicative price data sets. Transactions are considered as T1 and given a weightage of 50% whereas other data sets are considered as T2 and given a weightage of the balance 50%.

Click for detailed methodology

T1 – Trade, T2 – Offer/Bid/Indicative