TOKYO, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Tokyo Steel Manufacturing Co Ltd 5423.T, Japan's top electric-arc furnace steelmaker, said on Monday that it will hold steel product prices steady in February, citing sluggish activity in the domestic market.
This marks the second consecutive month that the company has kept prices unchanged across all products, including its main H-shaped beams.
Prices for steel bars, including rebar, will remain at 82,000 yen ($520) per metric ton, while H-shaped beams also stay at 103,000 yen ($654) per ton.
Domestic construction demand remains weak due to project delays caused by harsh winter weather, while demand from the manufacturing sector continues to show signs of a gradual recovery, the company said in a statement.
Tokyo Steel's pricing is closely watched by Asian rivals such as South Korea's Posco 005490.KS and Hyundai Steel 004020.KS, and China's Baoshan Iron & Steel Co Ltd (Baosteel) 600019.SS.
($1 = 157.5500 yen)
(Reporting by Yuka Obayashi; Editing by Sonia Cheema)
((Yuka.Obayashi@thomsonreuters.com; +813-4520-1265;))
