The long-process strip steel mills in North China have resumed production to some extent, but the overall output remains at a low level. The price gap between the north and the south has narrowed, and the profit margin for transporting northern materials to the south has shrunk. The national sample inventory continues to decline, but the rate of decline has slowed down. The downstream demand is weak, and the terminals are in a state of waiting and observing. It is expected that the price of 316L stainless steel sheet will continue to fluctuate within a narrow range next week.

The prices of raw material strips have fluctuated slightly. The profit margins of 316L stainless steel sheet factories are close to the cost line. They have a strong will to maintain prices but face significant sales pressure. Kang Zengtai Materials Group predicts that 316L stainless steel sheet will continue to experience weak fluctuations next week, and supply and demand will remain in a weak balance.

Overall, the contradictions are accumulating: the impact of environmental supervision has waned, combined with profit-driven factors, supply is expected to continue to recover; however, the demand side has continued to slow down due to the decrease in the proportion of available funds for projects (60% of the new special bonds added in June could only be used for project construction, which is at a two-year low), the rising temperature and the impact of the middle school entrance examination. Nevertheless, the seventh round of price increase for coke has been implemented and there is still an expectation for further price hikes. The cost support is strong. In summary, it is expected that the price of 316L stainless steel sheet will show a trend of fluctuating and weakening in the short term.