Last week, the prices of some varieties in the domestic raw material market rose steadily. The price of iron ore rose slightly; the price of coke was stable; the price of coking coal fell steadily; the prices of most ferroalloy varieties were mainly stable. During this period, the price changes of major varieties are as follows:
Prices fluctuate slightly
Last week, iron ore prices fluctuated slightly overall. Traders are willing to ship goods, steel companies buy at low prices, and there is a certain demand for replenishment before the May Day holiday. In addition, the current blast furnace operating rate of steel companies remains relatively high, and the overall demand for iron ore is good. The arrival volume of iron ore at major domestic ports has turned from decline to increase, the port discharge volume remains at a relatively high level, and the inventory continues to decline but the decline is narrowing. The price of iron ore futures has fallen slightly, but in the short term, most steel companies are basically operating at full capacity, and the fundamentals of iron ore are good. It is expected that the price of iron ore will fluctuate slightly in the near future.
Metallurgical coke prices are mainly stable
Last week, domestic metallurgical coke prices were mainly stable. The output of molten iron continued to increase, and the demand for metallurgical coke was good. A few steel companies urged for the delivery of dry-quenched quasi-first-grade metallurgical coke, and some coke companies sent letters to start the second round of metallurgical coke price increases. At present, the coke inventory of steel companies is not low, and the steel market is volatile and the profits of steel companies have not improved significantly. The acceptance of metallurgical coke price increases is not high. Some steel companies have clearly stated that they do not accept the second round of metallurgical coke price increases. It is expected that domestic metallurgical coke prices will be mainly stable in the near future.
Coking coal prices are stable with a slight decline
Last week, domestic coking coal prices were stable with a slight decline, and the online auction transaction prices “fell more than rose”, with unsold products. The price of low-sulfur coking coal in Linfen, Shanxi is 1,310 yuan/ton. The price of gas coal in Zichang, Shaanxi is 840 yuan/ton to 870 yuan/ton. The price of lean coal in Changzhi, Shanxi is 950 yuan/ton to 1,040 yuan/ton. Most coking companies have completed their stocking for the May Day holiday, and will mainly purchase on demand before the holiday. At present, the overall operating rate of coking companies remains high, which supports the demand for coking coal. It is expected that the price of coking coal will be mainly stable before the May Day holiday, and the online auction prices will fluctuate.
Ferroalloy prices are stable with a slight increase
Last week, domestic ferroalloy prices were stable with a slight increase. Ferrosilicon prices are generally stable. In the fourth week of April, the weekly output of sample ferrosilicon production enterprises in the five major production areas increased by 1,200 tons compared with the previous week. The futures market is running at a low level, with delivery inventory of 92,000 tons. It is not easy to trade at a high price in the market. It is expected that the ferrosilicon market will be stable but weak in the near future. Silicon manganese prices are stable. The new round of silicon manganese purchase prices of steel companies such as Zhongtian Nantong, Henggang, and Jiangsu Yonggang are 5,830 yuan/ton to 5,960 yuan/ton, and the bidding focus of steel companies has shifted down by 190 yuan/ton to 490 yuan/ton. Last week, the inventory of manganese ore in northern ports increased, with an overall increase of 430,000 tons. The demand for stocking up before the May Day holiday was released, and the number of low-price transactions in the spot market increased. It is expected that the silicon manganese market will be stable but weak in the near future.
The price of high carbon ferrochrome is mainly stable. The long-term purchase price of high carbon ferrochrome of Tsingshan Group in May was 8095 yuan/50 basis tons, an increase of 500 yuan/50 basis tons from April. The transaction price of 40%-42% chromium concentrate futures from large-scale mines in South Africa at Tianjin Port was US$295/ton, the same as the previous week; the spot price of chromium concentrate at the port was mainly stable, and ferrochrome production enterprises basically purchased on demand. At present, the demand for high carbon ferrochrome in the retail market is general, and the profits of manufacturers have recovered. Considering the increased willingness of enterprises to resume production, it is more difficult for prices to continue to rise. It is expected that the price of high carbon ferrochrome will be stable in the near future.
In terms of vanadium alloys, the price of vanadium-nitrogen alloy fell by 1,000 yuan/ton, and the price of ferrovanadium remained stable. The price of 98 pieces of vanadium fell by 1,000 yuan/ton. At present, the cost support on the raw material side still exists, and the price fluctuation space of vanadium alloys is limited. It is expected that the price of vanadium alloys will fluctuate slightly in the near future. In terms of molybdenum alloys, the price of 60 ferromolybdenum rose by 8,000 yuan/ton. The bidding price of ferromolybdenum of steel companies such as Tsingshan Group, Taigang, and New Steel is 209,000 yuan/ton to 222,000 yuan/ton. The price of 45% to 47% grade molybdenum concentrate rose by 110 yuan/ton, and the transaction price of 40% to 50% grade molybdenum concentrate in many mines was 3,280 yuan/ton to 3,320 yuan/ton. The price of raw material molybdenum concentrate rose, the production cost of ferromolybdenum moved up, and the demand of steel companies was good, so the price of ferromolybdenum rose. After the price of ferromolybdenum rose, the procurement speed of steel companies slowed down, and some steel companies failed to bid. It is expected that the price of ferromolybdenum will fluctuate slightly in the near future.