Steel prices across China's circulation market strengthened in late August (August 21-31), with rebar posting the largest gain, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Rebar (20mm, HRB400E) averaged 3,130.3 yuan/t during August 21-31, up 67.4 yuan/t or 2.2%, reversing the 1.9% decline recorded in mid-August.

Wire rod (8-10mm, HPB300) prices rose 63.1 yuan/t to 3,317.8 yuan/t, up 1.9% compared with August 11-20, with the gain widening by 1.6 percentage points from the previous period.

Medium plate (20mm, Q235) prices increased 44.5 yuan/t to 3,526.9 yuan/t, up 1.3% from the prior ten-day period, expanding 0.9 percentage points.

Hot-rolled coil (4.75-11.5mm, Q235) prices climbed 61.1 yuan/t to 3,326.4 yuan/t, up 1.9%, with the gain widening by 1.2 percentage points.

Seamless pipe (219*6, 20#) prices edged up 1.4 yuan/t to 4,011.9 yuan/t, a marginal 0.03% increase, while angle steel (5#) prices rose 25.3 yuan/t to 3,435.4 yuan/t, up 0.7%. Both products reversed from declines in the previous period.