Last week, the growth of domestic steel inventory for the five major categories slowed, with total inventory remaining below the levels of the same period last year.

Notably, construction steel inventory is at its lowest in nearly five years, while flats inventory remains relatively high but within normal ranges.

Blast furnace utilization rates continued to decline, whereas electric arc furnace capacity utilization rates saw a significant rebound. Against this backdrop, domestic steel prices halted their decline and began to rise

HRC : Domestic hot rolled coil prices rebounded last week after a decline. East China saw prices rise by 30-80 yuan/ton, while Central and South China increased by 10-60 yuan/ton. North and Northeast China experienced general rises of 30-50 yuan/ton, Southwest China saw minor gains, and Northwest China remained stable. As of Friday, the national average prices for 2.75mm and 5.75mm hot rolled coils were 3,569 yuan/ton and 3,481 yuan/ton, respectively, both up 36 yuan/ton from last weekend.

CRC : Last week, domestic cold rolled coil prices remained stable with minor fluctuations. In East China, prices saw slight increases of 10-40 yuan/ton, while Central and South China experienced mixed trends with minimal changes. North China remained stable, Northeast China saw slight increases, and West China was stable with some gains. As of Friday, the national average prices for 0.5mm and 1.0mm cold rolled coils were 4,466 yuan/ton and 4,279 yuan/ton, respectively, both up 6 yuan/ton from last weekend.

Construction Steel : Last week, domestic construction steel prices halted their decline and began to rise. In East China, prices increased by 40-90 yuan/ton, while Central and South China saw slight rises of 10-20 yuan/ton. North and Northeast China experienced general increases of 20-70 yuan/ton, and West China saw minor gains. As of Friday, the national average prices for Ф8mm HPB300 high-speed wire rod and Ф18-25mm HRB400 rebar were 3,567 yuan/ton and 3,395 yuan/ton, respectively, up 35 yuan/ton and 36 yuan/ton from last weekend.