Weekly Summary: 2025 China Bearing Steel Market Trend in Fourth Week of August is fluctuating and running strongly

Weekly Summary: 2025 China Bearing Steel Market Trend in Fourth Week of August is fluctuating and running strongly

1、 This week's review

In terms of price

This week, the price of bearing steel fluctuated strongly, and as of today, the absolute price index of GCr15 is 4882 yuan/ton.

Overview of Major Markets

The price of bearing steel in Liaocheng market is temporarily stable. At present, the market has sufficient spot resources, and steel mills such as Juneng, Handan Iron and Steel, and Ausen have stable arrivals. Traders' inventories are generally maintained at around 1000 tons, and the overall supply side is stable. The purchasing willingness of downstream bearing manufacturing enterprises is generally weak, and most enterprises adopt the strategy of "on-demand procurement". However, as a gathering place for the bearing industry, Liaocheng's regional prices can quickly respond to recent cost changes, thus gaining a certain degree of support. However, the growth rate of demand orders in downstream machinery manufacturing and automotive industries is limited, and the transaction performance is average. It is expected that the price of bearing steel in Liaocheng market will fluctuate narrowly next week. As of press time, Jiyuan Steel's GCr15 Φ 30-75 is reported at 4030 yuan/ton, and Juneng Special Steel's GCr15 Φ 16-90 is reported at 3820 yuan/ton.

The prices of bearing steel in the Hangzhou market have been individually raised. In terms of spot inventory, resources such as Zhongtian, Nangang, and Benxi Iron and Steel have sufficient supply, and most traders' inventory remains stable at around 1000 tons. At the end of the month, some steel mills announced a new round of price adjustments, with major circulating steel mills in the Hangzhou market all showing an upward trend of around 20 yuan/ton. However, the current high temperature and rainy season continue to suppress construction progress, making it difficult to significantly improve demand. Nevertheless, the overall inventory pressure in the market is controllable, coupled with external resource inflows leading to an increase in market resources and intensified price competition. Overall, it is expected that the price of bearing steel in the Hangzhou market will remain stable and fluctuate within a range next week. As of press time, Zhongtian Steel's GCr15 Φ 40-140 quotation is 4100 yuan/ton, and Daye Special Steel's GCr15 Φ 20-40 quotation is 4730 yuan/ton.

The mainstream price of bearing steel in the Wuxi market remains stable, with some resources experiencing slight fluctuations. The main steel plant resources in the local market, such as Zhongtian, Nangang, Benxi Iron and Steel, Yonggang, etc., have stable supply, and the inventory of traders is generally maintained at about 800 tons, while the social inventory is at a normal level. At present, the trading atmosphere in the market is lukewarm, and downstream companies maintain on-demand procurement, resulting in poor overall transaction performance. With the rise in raw material prices and the introduction of a new round of price adjustment policies by steel mills, businesses are optimistic about the future market outlook. Overall, in the short term, the price of bearing steel in the Wuxi market is expected to fluctuate and strengthen. As of press time, Zhongtian Steel's GCr15 Φ 40-140 quotation is 4100 yuan/ton, and Xingcheng Special Steel's GCr15 Φ 31-90 quotation is 5580 yuan/ton.

The price of bearing steel in Dalian market remains stable. The main steel mills in the Dalian market, including Benxi Iron and Steel, Dongte, and Jianlong Beiman, have sufficient overall supply, and the inventory scale of large-scale traders is maintained at around 1500 tons. According to the current market situation, local terminal enterprises continue to adopt an on-demand procurement strategy, and the market supply and demand relationship is relatively balanced, with prices being negotiated on a single basis. Overall, it is expected that downstream demand will remain stable in the short term, and the price of bearing steel in the Dalian market may remain stable. The current quotation for Bengang Special Steel GCr15 Φ 81-130 is 4090 yuan/ton, Dongte Stock GCr15 Φ 86-180 is 4090 yuan/ton, and Jianlong Beiman GCr15 Φ 30-75 is 4200 yuan/ton.

The price of bearing steel in Luoyang market is running weakly and steadily. Recently, the local market has relatively abundant supply of Jiyuan Steel and Daye Special Steel resources, and the inventory of traders remains at around 500 tons. Market transactions continue to be dominated by rigid demand. Although the demand in the surrounding machinery manufacturing industry is stable, local terminal enterprises are still cautious in their procurement, and prices are temporarily stable. Overall, it is expected that the short-term price of bearing steel will remain stable. As of press time, Jiyuan Iron and Steel GCr15 Φ 6.5-23 is currently reported at 4340 yuan/ton, Daye Special Steel GCr15 Φ 20-40 is currently reported at 4700 yuan/ton, and Hegang Stone Steel GCr15 Φ 131-180 is currently reported at 4200 yuan/ton.

Regarding steel mills

From August 22nd to August 29th, a total of six steel mills in Japan released price adjustment information, with a total of six announcements. Next week, we should continue to pay attention to the impact of consumer demand and steel mill maintenance.

2、 Next week's outlook

This week, the prices of bearing steel in the national market have fluctuated strongly. At present, traders have a strong willingness to ship but poor transactions, and terminal procurement is mainly based on "small orders on demand", which leads to cautious operation of traders, most of whom adopt the strategy of "replenishing inventory on demand". With the introduction of a new round of price adjustment policies by some steel mills at the end of the month, market sentiment holds a neutral to strong attitude towards the later stage. It is expected that the price of bearing steel will follow suit and rise next week, but the upward space is limited.