Steel Products Prices North America

SMU Price Ranges & Indices: Limited Change

December 20, 2017

Eight out of 10 respondents to this week’s SMU market trends questionnaire believe the fundamentals are pointing toward higher steel prices in the first quarter. As one service center executive commented, “it’s only a question of how high and for how long.” But so far, the price increases announced by the major mills this month have had a limited effect.

Here is how we see prices this week:

Hot Rolled Coil: SMU price range is $620-$660 per ton ($31.00/cwt-$33.00/cwt) with an average of $640 per ton ($32.00/cwt) 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 hot rolled steel is now pointing to Higher indicating prices are expected to increase over the next 30-60 days.

Hot Rolled Lead Times: 3-5 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. The lower end of our range increased $10 per ton compared to last week, while the upper end declined $20 per ton. Our overall average is down $5 per ton compared to one week ago. Our price momentum on cold rolled steel is now pointing to Higher indicating prices are expected to increase over the next 30-60 days.

Cold Rolled Lead Times: 5-7 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. The lower end of our range rose $40 per ton compared to one week ago, while the upper end decreased $30 per ton. Our overall average is up $10 per ton compared to last week. Our price momentum on galvanized steel is now pointing to Higher indicating prices are expected to increase over the next 30-60 days.

Galvanized .060” G90 Benchmark: SMU price range is $866-$926 per net ton with an average of $896 per ton FOB mill, east of the Rockies. Note that we have changed our G90 index extra from $78 per ton to $86 per ton, which is the NLMK USA spot number and a better indicator of the spot market than the extras being used by U.S. Steel.

Galvanized Lead Times: 3-10 weeks

Galvalume Coil: SMU base price range is $39.00/cwt-$42.50/cwt ($780-$850 per ton) with an average of $40.75/cwt ($815 per ton) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range remained the same compared to last week, while the upper end declined $10 per ton. Our overall average is down $5 per ton compared to one week ago. Our price momentum on Galvalume steel is now 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 $1,071-$1,141 per net ton with an average of $1,106 per ton FOB mill, east of the Rockies.

Galvalume Lead Times: 6-8 weeks

Plate: SMU price range is $650-$750 per ton ($32.50/cwt-$37.50/cwt) with an average of $700 per ton ($35.00/cwt) FOB delivered. The lower end of our range decreased $20 per ton compared to one week ago, while the upper end decreased $10 per ton. Our overall average is down $15 per ton compared to last week. Our price momentum on plate steel is now pointing to Higher indicating prices are expected to increase over the next 30-60 days.

Plate Lead Times: 4-6 weeks

SMU Note: Below is a graphic showing our hot rolled, cold rolled, galvanized, Galvalume, and plate price history. 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 800-432-3475.