Surging 61% and 12%, respectively, from a year ago Amid an economic slump coupled with expectation for a possible decrease in price, cold-rolled stainless steel sheet market has fallen in the mire, while hot-rolled coil andplate makers enjoyed a continuous growth particularly in the sector of sales to end-users. According to a recent report by the Stainless Steel Club under the Korea Iron & Steel Association regardingthe stainless steel product market trend in April, the monthly sales of cold-rolled steel sheets posted a year-on-year drop of 2.3% last month, declining for the third consecutive month. Despite an increase of 1.0% in production, sluggish sales brought about a rise in inventory up to 34,000 tons, the highest level ever seen in 9 months since August last year when it marked 35,904 tons. By sector, sales of cold-rolled stainlesssteel sheets to end-users dropped 7.2% year-on-year, extending a downward trend for three months in a row, and those to distributors fell for the second consecutive month, marking a 10.9% surge from a year ago. Particularly, sales to distributors came down to below 30,000 tons for the first time in six months since November last year, reflecting the current buying interest of consumers that has cooled down. Amid a slump in the sector of Western tableware, the monthly sales of cold-rolled stainless steel sheets as raw materials in the domestic market for the products to be exported dived 28.5% on a year-on-year basis, stretching a downward curve for 13 months successively. In attempt to make up for a loss in their domestic sales, domestic cold-rolled stainless steel sheet makers swelled their outbound shipment volume by 28.5% in April compared with the corresponding month of 2003, extending an upward trend for four months in a row, but their profitability has become worsened due to their weak export prices that began to take a downturn in March. Monthly sales of hot-rolled stainless coils shot up 61.0% in April compared with theidentical month of 2003, continuing to be on the rise for 11 months on a year-on-year basis. Outwardly, the market showed a continuingfavorable tone, but the market atmosphere was dull due to the shrunken buying interest of consumers, reflecting the recent economic doldrums. By sector in thedomestic market, sales to end-users jumped 24.8% over the same month of 2003, extendingan upward trend for four successive months. However, sales to distributors declined 6.4% year-on-year, continuing to be on the decrease for three months in a row, and sales of the hot-rolled stainless coils as raw materials in the domestic market for exports dived 41.4%, taking a downturn in a month. Exports of hot-rolled coils skyrocketed 130% year-on-year, stretching an upward curve for 9 straight months. parkjy@snmnews.com