Steel Products Prices North America

SMU Price Ranges & Indices: Finding Some Stability
Written by John Packard
June 7, 2016
Flat rolled prices are beginning to stabilize as a number of mills are not taking orders at this time and those that are are holding fairly firm at where they were a week ago. Our benchmark hot rolled average rose by $5 per ton while cold rolled, galvanized and Galvalume averages remained unchanged.
When we review the price points we received over the past two days most of the hot rolled numbers were in the $31.50-$32.00/cwt level, cold rolled was spread out a bit more and most coated numbers were at $42.00/cwt. Remember, we do not do a weighted average and our averages are nothing more than the average of the high and low price points for the week.
Here is how we see prices this week:
Hot Rolled Coil: SMU Range is $620-$650 per ton ($31.00/cwt- $32.50/cwt) with an average of $635 per ton ($31.75/cwt) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range rose $10 per ton compared to one week ago while the upper end remained the same. Our overall average is up $5 per ton over last week. SMU price momentum for hot rolled steel has prices rising over the next 30 days.
Hot Rolled Lead Times: All mills on controlled order entry or allocation
Cold Rolled Coil: SMU Range is $820-$850 per ton ($41.00/cwt- $42.50/cwt) with an average of $835 per ton ($41.75/cwt) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. Both the lower and upper ends of our range remained the same compared to last week. Our overall average is unchanged 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: All mills on controlled order entry or allocation
Galvanized Coil: SMU Base Price Range is $41.50/cwt-$42.50/cwt ($830-$850 per ton) with an average of $42.00/cwt ($840 per ton) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. Both the lower and upper ends of our range remained the same compared to one week ago. Our overall average is unchanged 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 $890-$910 per net ton with an average of $900 per ton FOB mill, east of the Rockies.
Galvanized Lead Times: All mills on controlled order entry or allocation
Galvalume Coil: SMU Base Price Range is $41.50/cwt-$42.50/cwt ($830-$850 per ton) with an average of $42.00/cwt ($840 per ton) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. Both the lower and upper ends of our range remained the same compared to last week. Our overall average is unchanged 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 $1121-$1141 per net ton with an average of $1131 per ton FOB mill, east of the Rockies.
Galvalume Lead Times: All mills on controlled order entry or allocation
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
Read more from John PackardLatest in Steel Products Prices North America

SMU Price Ranges: Sheet and plate steady ahead of Independence Day
Sheet and plate prices were little changed in the shortened week ahead of Independence Day, according to SMU’s latest check of the market.

Nucor maintains plate prices, opens August order book
Nucor aims to keep plate prices flat again with the opening of its August order book.

Nucor CSP remains level at $900/ton
Nucor maintained its weekly list price for hot-rolled (HR) coil this week, following two consecutive increases.

Cliffs raises prices, seeks $950/ton for July spot HR
Cleveland-Cliffs plans to increase prices for hot-rolled (HR) coil to $950 per short ton (st) with the opening of its July spot order book. The Cleveland-based steelmaker said the price hike was effective immediately in a letter to customers dated Monday.

HRC vs. prime scrap spread widens in June
The price spread between HRC and prime scrap widened in June.