Steel Products Prices North America

SMU Price Ranges & Indices: Price Increase Pushing Prices Higher

Written by John Packard

March 22, 2016

Flat rolled steel buyers are telling Steel Market Update that the domestic mills are getting more aggressive about collecting all, or at least a portion of the latest price increase. Hot rolled continues to be the weakest product, but even in HRC we are seeing the numbers starting to move and we expect them to continue to move in the coming weeks. Cold rolled seems to have settled at, or above, $600 per ton and coated products are also averaging more than $600 per ton with most mills. We only found one domestic mill at less than $30.00/cwt base ($29.75/cwt) this week. We doubt if they will be there next week.

Steel Market Update continues to have our Price Momentum Indicator pointing toward higher prices over the next 30 days.

At this moment here is how we see spot flat rolled prices this week (all prices shown are in net tons which are equal to 2,000 pounds):

Hot Rolled Coil: SMU Range is $420-$460 per ton ($21.00/cwt- $23.00/cwt) with an average of $440 per ton ($22.00/cwt) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range increased $10 per ton compared to one week ago as did the upper end of our range. Our overall average is up $10 per ton over last week. SMU price momentum for hot rolled steel has prices rising over the next 30 days.

Hot Rolled Lead Times: 4-7 weeks.

Cold Rolled Coil: SMU Range is $600-$620 per ton ($30.00/cwt- $31.00/cwt) with an average of $610 per ton ($30.50/cwt) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range increased $20 per ton compared to last week while the upper end increased $10 per ton. Our overall average increased $15 per ton over one week ago. SMU price momentum for cold rolled steel is for prices to increase over the next 30 days.

Cold Rolled Lead Times: 5-8 weeks.

Galvanized Coil: SMU Base Price Range is $29.75/cwt-$31.50/cwt ($595-$630 per ton) with an average of $30.625/cwt ($612.50 per ton) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range increased $25 per ton compared to one week ago while the upper end increased $20 per ton. Our overall average is up $22.50 per ton over last week. Our price momentum on galvanized steel is for prices to move higher over the next 30 days.

Galvanized .060” G90 Benchmark: SMU Range is $655-$690 per net ton with an average of $672.50 per ton FOB mill, east of the Rockies.

Galvanized Lead Times: 6-10 weeks.

Galvalume Coil: SMU Base Price Range is $30.50/cwt-$32.00/cwt ($610-$640 per ton) with an average base of $31.25/cwt ($625 per ton) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range increased $30 per ton compared to last week while the upper end increased $20 per ton. Our overall average increased $25 per ton over one week ago. Our price momentum for Galvalume steel is currently pointing towards an increase in prices over the next 30 days.

Galvalume .0142” AZ50, Grade 80 Benchmark: SMU Range is $901-$931 per net ton with an average of $916 per ton FOB mill, east of the Rockies.

Galvalume Lead Times: 5-9 weeks.

SMU Note: Below is a graphic showing our hot rolled, cold rolled, galvanized, and Galvalume price history. To use the graphs interactive capabilities, you must view it on our website here. If you need help navigating the website or need to know your login information, contact us at info@SteelMarketUpdate.com or by calling 800-432-3475.

John Packard

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