Steel Products Prices North America
Flat Rolled Pricing Cycle Flattens Out During August
Written by John Packard
September 4, 2013
As we entered the month of August we found flat rolled steel prices trending higher. Prices began rising 10 weeks earlier (late May) after U.S. Steel announced the first of three rounds of price increases. On May 21st the Steel Market Update (SMU) hot rolled coil average price was $565 per ton ($28.25/cwt) and by the end of July our average had increased to $647.50 per ton ($32.375/cwt).
The month of August saw flat rolled prices as “flat” from the beginning to the end of the month. The good news for the domestic steel mills was that pricing did not crumple during the month. Our hot rolled average went from $645 up to $650 and then ended the month at the lowest level seen since July 23rd when we posted $642.50 per ton.
Other products also saw only modest movement during the month. The following table provides a snapshot look at August price movements by product:
Hot rolled and cold rolled prices are base pricing without extras. Galvanized is a .060” G90 benchmark with $3.00/cwt in extras added to the base. Galvalume is a .0142” AZ50, Grade 80 benchmark with $14.55 in extras added to the base. All prices referenced are for new order placement with existing mill lead times, FOB Mill, east of the Rocky Mountains.
John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in Steel Products Prices North America
SMU Price Ranges: HR holds, galv slips amid competing market narratives
SMU’s sheet and plate prices see-sawed this week as hot-rolled (HR) coil prices held their ground while prices for galvanized product slipped.
Nucor carries $875/ton HR list price into week seven
Nucor is keeping hot-rolled (HR) coil prices unchanged again this week, according to its latest consumer spot price (CSP) notice issued on Monday, Oct. 6
SMU Price Ranges: A newsy week sees modest price gains despite a quiet spot market
Market participants predicted that prices should be at or near a bottom. But while most seemed to agree on that point, many also said they saw little upside given a quiet spot market and ongoing concerns about demand.
Nucor increases plate prices by $60/ton
Nucor aims to increase prices for steel plate by $60 per short ton with the opening of its November order book.
Nucor’s $875/ton HR spot price spills into week six
Nucor is keeping hot-rolled (HR) coil prices unchanged again this week, according to its latest consumer spot price (CSP) notice issued on Monday, Sept. 29.