GLOBAL CHROME WRAP: Stainless steel strength caps Chinese spot ferro-chrome price downtrend

The recent downtrend in spot ferro-chrome prices in China was capped by strength in the domestic stainless steel market, while the European and US markets were flat ahead of the Christmas holiday break.

Chinese alloy prices hold amid stainless steel strength Charge chrome prices flat on firm offers Chrome ore prices up in response to improved sentiment Japanese and South Korean alloy prices tumble European alloy prices unmoved US market inactive ahead of holidays The Chinese spot domestic ferro-chrome price stabilized in the week to Friday December 20, with a rise in downstream stainless steel prices buoying sentiment.
Fastmarkets' price assessment for ferro-chrome spot 6-8% C, basis 50% Cr, ddp China was 5,800-6,100 yuan ($828-872) per tonne on Friday, unchanged from the previous week. Prior to that, the alloy's price had dropped for three consecutive weeks.
Market participants told Fastmarkets the stainless steel inventory level in China has declined amid increased trading activity, lending support to stainless steel prices. As a result, sentiment in the upstream supply chain slightly improved.

Fastmarkets' weekly price assessment for stainless steel cold-rolled coil...

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