Price Ref

August steel PMI rose to 47.4%, continuing recovery but still sub-50. Sept "Golden September" peak season: demand recovers month-on-month with limited upside, supply flexible, cost support firm. Prices oscillate higher but gains capped. Infrastructure and manufacturing pick up as rainy season ends; real estate remains weak, capping long-steel demand. Supply contraction from Aug maintenance offers floor, but price rebound may trigger restarts. Plate outperforms longs.

July steel PMI rose to 46.1% but stayed sub-50. Aug off-season: weak demand, supply cuts, softening costs. Plate outperforms longs. Early heat/rain curb construction; manufacturing supports flats. Late-month rebound possible as seasonal drag eases.

In June 2026, the steel circulation PMI index dropped to 45.8%, a decrease of 2.2 percentage points from the previous month, continuing to decline within the contraction range. The steel market in July will experience an off-season for traditional demand, with a phased contraction in supply and cost forming a bottom-supporting scenario. The domestic steel market is expected to continue its fluctuating decline.

In May 2026, the steel circulation PMI index dropped to 48.0%, a decrease of 3.2 percentage points from the previous month, entering a contraction zone, indicating that the domestic steel market has officially entered the traditional off-season and there is significant downward pressure on prices.

China's steel circulation PMI fell to 51.2% in April 2026, down 2.2 points, signaling weaker peak season. In May, post-holiday restocking and faster infrastructure funding will boost construction steel demand. Manufacturing resilience supports hot-rolled coil. Supply-side release is limited, easing tensions. Firm iron ore and a third round of coke price hikes provide cost support. The steel market is expected to trade in a range-bound pattern.

In March 2026, the Steel Circulation PMI jointly released by the China Metal Materials Circulation Association and Lange Steel stood at 53.4%, up 5.4 percentage points from the previous month. The index rebounded rapidly into the expansion range, indicating a significant improvement in activity within the steel circulation market.

The domestic steel market in March is expected to remain under pressure, though there may be opportunities for periodic rebounds.

Combined with the impact of the Spring Festival holiday, activity on both the supply and demand sides of the market is expected to decline temporarily. It is projected that the domestic steel market in February will likely experience a narrow-range fluctuation.

WEEKLY STEEL PIPE MARKET ANALYSIS FROM YOUFA GROUP

EXPERTS PREDICTED THE PRICE OF STEEL IN CHINA 13-17TH MAY 2019

expert say steel market (2019.5.6-5.10)

EXPERTS PREDICTED PRICE OF STEEL 22-26TH APRIL 2019

experts say steel market-Aprial

[Youfa Steel Trade Quotes Week of steel ] Experts say the market