China Steel Corporation (CSC) said that the darkest period has passed, anticipating improvements and price recoveries in the fourth quarter since the third quarter serves as Asia's seasonal bottom.

Regional market conditions showed Indian and Indonesian hot-rolled coil offers steady in Vietnam, though Indian suppliers decreased activity due to upcoming domestic demand recovery after the September rainy season. Meanwhile, Hoa Phat and Formosa Ha Tinh Steel approached full order capacities, limiting competitor pricing flexibility.

In Taiwan, POSCO quoted high hot-rolled steel prices, which buyers deemed uncompetitive compared to pickled steel products. Market participants noted that POSCO utilized high hot-rolled quotes to promote pickled coils, facing heavy selling pressure after Japanese automakers rejected South Korean pickled materials amid ongoing anti-dumping investigations.