Steel Products Prices North America

SMU Price Ranges & Indices: Flat Week

Written by John Packard

August 1, 2017

Steel Market Update has seen a bit of a yo-yo effect to flat rolled and plate steel prices over the past few weeks. Since the word got out that the Section 232 decision would not be announced any time soon, the market has taken a step back to evaluate where prices will go from here. We saw hot rolled, cold rolled and galvanized averages as staying the same as last week, while our Galvalume and plate averages were up $5 per ton. Within the range, there have been adjustments, both up and down, which to us is a sign of a market looking for a catalyst to move one way or another.

At the moment, we continue to see flat rolled price momentum as being higher. However, this could change at any time–in either direction.

Here is how we see prices this week:

Hot Rolled Coil: SMU price range is $600-$650 per ton ($30.00/cwt-$32.50/cwt) with an average of $625 per ton ($31.25/cwt) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range decreased $10 per ton compared to one week ago, while the upper end increased $10 per ton. Our overall average is unchanged compared to last week. Our price momentum on hot rolled steel is now pointing to Higher indicating prices are expected to increase over the next 30-60 days.

Hot Rolled Lead Times: 3-6 weeks

Cold Rolled Coil: SMU price range is $790-$840 per ton ($39.50/cwt-$42.00/cwt) with an average of $815 per ton ($40.75/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 compared to one week ago. Our price momentum on cold rolled steel is pointing to Higher indicating prices are expected to increase over the next 30-60 days.

Cold Rolled Lead Times: 4-8 weeks

Galvanized Coil: SMU base price range is $39.00/cwt-$42.00/cwt ($780-$840 per ton) with an average of $40.50/cwt ($810 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 compared to last week. Our price momentum on galvanized steel is pointing to Higher indicating prices are expected to increase over the next 30-60 days.

Galvanized .060” G90 Benchmark: SMU price range is $858-$918 per net ton with an average of $888 per ton FOB mill, east of the Rockies.

Galvanized Lead Times: 4-9 weeks

Galvalume Coil: SMU base price range is $40.00/cwt-$42.00/cwt ($800-$840 per ton) with an average of $41.00/cwt ($820 per ton) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range increased $20 per ton compared to last week, while the upper end decreased $20 per ton. Our overall average is unchanged compared to one week ago. Our price momentum on Galvalume steel is pointing to Higher indicating prices are expected to increase over the next 30-60 days.

Galvalume .0142” AZ50, Grade 80 Benchmark: SMU price range is $1,091-$1,131 per net ton with an average of $1,111 per ton FOB mill, east of the Rockies.

Galvalume Lead Times: 5-8 weeks

Plate: SMU price range is $680-$740 per ton ($34.00/cwt-$37.00/cwt) with an average of $710 per ton ($35.50/cwt) FOB delivered. The lower end of our range remained the same compared to one week ago, while the upper end increased $10 per ton. Our overall average is up $5 per ton compared to last week. Our price momentum on plate steel is pointing to Higher indicating prices are expected to increase over the next 30-60 days.

Plate Lead Times: 3-6 weeks

SMU Note: Below is a graphic showing our hot rolled, cold rolled, galvanized, and Galvalume price history. We will add plate prices to this graph once we have gathered a few months of data. To use the graph’s 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 Packard

Latest in Steel Products Prices North America