Steel Products Prices North America

SMU Price Ranges & Indices: Flat to Down Slightly

Written by Brett Linton

February 18, 2014

Flat rolled steel prices were mixed compared to this time last week. The combination of our survey coupled with direct channel checks found hot rolled and galvanized prices slightly weaker while cold rolled and Galvalume prices remained the same as last week. The SMU Price Momentum Indicator continues to reference prices as moving lower over the next 30 days – although we believe prices will not drop sharply as inventories seem to be balanced and not all mills are participating in moving prices lower.

We are hearing reports of hot rolled price offers at $620 per ton this week but did not collect actual sales at that number before we concluded our numbers for today. Hot rolled is the weakest product and we are hearing of buyers pushing for sub-$600 per ton numbers from the mills (which they are resisting). On the flip side – plate products are quite strong right now and lead times are out into May.

Here is how we are seeing prices this week:

Hot Rolled Coil: SMU Range is $630-$660 per ton ($31.50/cwt- $33.00/cwt) with an average of $645 per ton ($32.25/cwt) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. Both the lower and upper ends of our range decreased by $10 per ton compared to last week. Our average is now $10 per ton lower compared to last week. Our expectation is for hot rolled pricing to move lower over the next 30 days.

Hot Rolled Lead Times: 3-6 weeks.

Cold Rolled Coil: SMU Range is $740-$780 per ton ($37.00/cwt- $39.00/cwt) with an average of $760 per ton ($38.00/cwt) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. Both the lower and upper ends of our range remained the same compared to last week. Our average is unchanged compared to last week. SMU anticipates cold rolled prices will move lower over the next 30 days.

Cold Rolled Lead Times: 5-8 weeks.

Galvanized Coil: SMU Base Price Range is $740-$780 per ton ($37.00/cwt- $39.00/cwt) with an average of $760 per ton ($38.00/cwt) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range decreased by $10 per ton compared to last week while the upper end remained the same. Our average is now $5 per ton lower compared to last week. SMU anticipates galvanized base prices will trend lower over the next 30 days.

Galvanized .060” G90 Benchmark: SMU Range is $800-$840 per ton with an average of $820 per ton FOB mill, east of the Rockies.

Galvanized Lead Times: 4-8 weeks.

Galvalume Coil: SMU Base Price Range is $750-$790 per ton ($37.50/cwt- $39.50/cwt) with an average of $770 per ton ($38.50/cwt) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. Both the lower and upper ends of our range remained the same compared to last week. Our average is unchanged compared to last week. The expectation is for Galvalume prices to move lower over the next 30 days.

Galvalume .0142” AZ50, Grade 80 Benchmark: SMU Range is $1041-$1081 per ton with an average of $1061 per ton FOB mill, east of the Rockies.

Galvalume Lead Times: 5-8 weeks.

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Brett Linton

Brett Linton is a senior analyst for Steel Market Update, where he began his career. Linton has been in the steel industry since 2010. He has held roles as a category manager and strategic insights director at Reibus before returning to SMU in 2024. He is a graduate of The University of North Georgia with a degree in Finance and Accounting. Brett can be reached at brett@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-314-0179.

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