Cost Support Strengthens, National Seamless Tube Prices May See a Slight Increase Today

【Price Review】

On September 22, the prices of seamless tubes in major cities across the country remained stable. The national average price for seamless tubes (108*4.5mm) was reported at 4,294 yuan/ton, unchanged from the previous trading day. In the Linyi market, the price for 108*4.5mm seamless tubes held steady, while in the Liaocheng market, the price for 108*4.5mm seamless tubes also remained stable. The Seamless Tube Price Index stood at 4,201.16, flat compared to the previous period.

【Raw Materials】

Tube Billet: Updated on September 22—Tube billet ex-factory prices increased by 10 yuan. Prices for hot-rolled tube billets (20#): Tiangang 3,290 yuan/ton, Donghai 3,270 yuan/ton; continuous casting round billets (20#): Gangtou Special Steel 3,320 yuan/ton.

Billet: On September 22, the price of billet from Tangshan Qian’an Songting Steel remained stable, executed at 3,060 yuan/ton, including tax ex-factory.

【Demand】

On September 22, the total transaction volume from 124 seamless tube trader sample companies nationwide was 16,583 tons, a daily increase of 3.5% and a year-on-year increase of 14.9%. Regionally, except for declines in the Northeast and South China, all other regions showed increases, with the Southwest, Northwest, and Central China regions experiencing growth exceeding 10%.

【Market Situation】

Due to rising raw material costs, some tube manufacturers have slightly raised their ex-factory prices. However, most market traders have maintained stable quotations, adopting a relatively cautious approach to price adjustments. From a supply and demand perspective, trader inventories are currently at moderate levels, and downstream demand in both northern and southern regions is gradually recovering. Overall transaction volumes have improved compared to earlier periods. With strengthening cost support and gradually improving fundamental expectations, it is anticipated that domestic seamless tube prices may experience a slight upward trend today.