India’s HR strip market moved through a largely weak May, with demand from automotive and construction sectors failing to provide meaningful support. Early and mid month trading stayed subdued as service centres remained well stocked and mills maintained steady output, keeping HR strip sentiment soft. A brief late May rebound emerged when routine import arrivals and short term trader repositioning lifted weekly prices, but this shift did little to offset the broader downward trajectory. Cost signals also offered no support, with raw materials and energy expenses staying stable and domestic supply comfortably meeting consumption. Overall, the market for HR strip remained pressured by oversupply, muted buying interest and limited downstream momentum, leaving the late month uptick looking tactical rather than a sustained recovery.
