Prices

SDI Follows Suit on Coating Extras
Written by Tim Triplett
December 5, 2017
Galvanized steel prices are on the way up for customers of Steel Dynamics, which was the latest mill to announce an increase in its coating extras due to the high price of zinc, which traded at nearly $1.43 per pound yesterday.
SDI’s new extras schedule is effective on orders acknowledged for delivery beginning Jan. 1. The mill last updated its extras in April.
In a letter to its customers on Nov. 30, SDI said: “In concert with the rise in steelmaking inputs and other commodity pricing, LME zinc and aluminum costs and premiums have risen in a sustained and dramatic fashion across 2017. SDI monitors all costs regularly and only makes adjustments based on careful analysis and sustained trends. These adjustments recover only a portion of the price escalation we have incurred year-to-date. Should these commodity metals persist at current levels or rise further, additional adjustments may be necessary.”
SDI’s announcement brings it in line with several mills that have already adjusted their extras, including Nucor, AK Steel, NLMK USA, California Steel and USS/POSCO. Yet to be heard from is ArcelorMittal.
Tim Triplett
Read more from Tim TriplettLatest in Prices
SMU Survey: Mills less negotiable on spot prices
Most steel buyers responding to our market survey this week reported that domestic mills are considerably less willing to talk price on sheet and plate products than they were in recent weeks.
Price gap between US HRC, most imports narrows slightly
In dollar-per-ton terms, US product is on average $141/st less than landed import prices (inclusive of the 50% tariff). That’s down from $148/st last week.
SMU price ranges: Sheet ticks higher, plate stable
Sheet steel indices increased across the board this week, while plate prices held steady. All five of SMU’s price indices are higher than they were two weeks ago, and all but one are above levels recorded four weeks ago.
Nucor lifts HR spot price by $10/ton
Nucor has raised its weekly spot list price on hot-rolled coil by $10 per short ton (st) after keeping it unchanged since Aug. 25.
Atlas Tube up $50/ton following NLMK USA sheet price hike
Atlas Tube, in a leading move, said it aims to increase prices for mechanical tubing, hollow structural sections (HSS), and piling products by at least $50 per short ton (st).

