May 24: The prices of 2 millimetre hot rolled (HR) coils fell sharply in Calcutta to Rs 17,200 per tonne by the end of April, the lowest for last three months. The prices had hit a peak of Rs 17,800 per tonne on April 20, according to the iron and steel monthly of the Development Commissioner of Iron & Steel.However, the HR coil prices in Delhi markets during the last 16 months varied slightly from Rs 17,000-17,100 per tonne. But Mumbai saw sharp variations-from Rs 18,200 to Rs 18,800 per tonne-during the period.
The prices of 3.15 mm HR coil in the Calcutta market, on the other hand, increased sharply from Rs 15,100 per tonne at the beginning of April to Rs 15,700 per tonne by the end of the same month. In Delhi market the prices varied marginally from Rs 14,500 to Rs 14,600 per tonne, while in Mumbai it remained static at Rs 18,200 per tonne.
The prices of 0.63 mm cold rolled (CR) coils in Calcutta market in April increased gradually from Rs 19,700 per tonne in the first week of the month to Rs19,900 by the third week and then again fell to Rs 19,850 per tonne by the end of the month.
In Delhi, it fell from Rs 21,600 per tonne to Rs 21,500 in the second week and again went up to Rs 21,600 to continue for two consecutive weeks, while in Mumbai it increased from Rs 22,500 per tonne to Rs 23,000 per tonne. In Calcutta, the prices of 0.63mm GP sheets fluctuated between Rs 25,900 per tonne and Rs 25,350 per tonne in April, compared to a much higher fluctuation of Rs 2,200 per tonne in the previous month.
In Delhi, its price fell from Rs 24,100 per tonne during the first two weeks of April to Rs 24,000 per tonne in the last two weeks of the same month. In Mumbai, its prices fluctuated between Rs 27,000 to 27,500 per tonne. The prices of another value added item - 6mm wire rod coils also showed fluctuating trends in April in Calcutta.
From Rs 13,900 per tonne in the first week it declined to Rs 13,600 per tonne and rose to Rs 13,900 per tonne in the third week to fall to Rs 13,800 per tonne by theend of the month. In Delhi, it increased from Rs 15,400 per tonne in the first two weeks to Rs 15,500 in the last two weeks, while in Mumbai it remained static at Rs 15,000 per tonne throughout the month. The prices of billets in Calcutta market also showed fluctuating trends in April. It started with Rs 10,550 per tonne but fell to Rs 10,400 per tonne in the second week and again jumped to Rs 10,700 in the third week to fall to Rs 10,500 per tonne per month.
In Delhi, on the other hand, its prices increased steadily From Rs 13,600 per tonne at the beginning of the month to Rs 13,800 per tonne by the end of April. In Mumbai, it however remained static through out the month.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
