

Steel prices hiked for the second time in two weeks as import curbs take effect
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. MUMBAI : Domestic steelmakers raised prices twice in January, within weeks of New Delhi imposing a safeguard duty on steel imports, as stronger construction demand, low inventories and improving market sentiment gave mills room to push through hikes. Prices of hot-rolled coil (HRC) and cold-rolled coil (CRC) were increased by 4% to Rs.51,700 per tonne in the second week of January, after a 2-4% hike in early January 2026, according to Big Mint, a commodities market intelligence.
Rebar prices were raised by nearly 7% to Rs.52,500 per tonne in the second week of January, following a hike of around 3-4% in early January. New Delhi has imposed 12% staggered duty for three years and will fall by half a percent each in the second and third year, according to a gazette notification dated 30 December. The quick succession of price hikes could lift margins for large producers, influence infrastructure project costs and shape investor sentiment in steel stocks in the months ahead.
“A price hike was expected as steel prices bottomed out during October–November, construction activity resumed after the monsoon, and a three-year safeguard duty provided additional support. These factors attracted investor attention and led to a rally in steel stocks," said Aditya Welekar from Axis Securities. Among listed steelmakers, Tata Steel has been the top performer so far this year, rising 3.47%.
JSW Steel followed with a gain of 1.34%, while Steel Authority of India (Sail) was marginally higher at 0.62%. Jindal Steel, however, fell 2.38% during the same period. The benchmark Sensex advanced 1.9%.
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