Hot-rolled coil (HRC) prices in the Asian market remained stable, with offers from Chinese and Indian steel mills roughly equal. 

In the Chinese market, rising futures prices improved buyer sentiment, and the appreciation of the RMB further boosted export prices. In Southeast Asia, CFR prices quoted by China and India were almost identical, and with market expectations of stronger prices, the mills are sticking to their current offers. 

According to reports, Vietnam's Hoa Phat is expected to raise its March-April hot-rolled steel prices, with an estimated increase of approximately US$5-10/ton, providing support for imported HRC. 

In the Taiwan market, China Steel Corp. (CSC) will most likely raise the March price to reflect raw material costs, and rising import and distribution prices provide CSC with the impetus for price-up.