Steel Products Prices North America

SMU Price Ranges & Indices: HR Stable as CR and Coated Rise

February 20, 2018

Flat rolled and plate steel prices remain strong, and many buyers are eixpecting prices to move higher from here. Hot rolled, which has been on a tear for a number of weeks, took a breather remaining at $745 per ton as an average. Other products, however, did move higher expanding the spread, which in the case of cold rolled had shrunk too much last week and now is back to $115 per ton, closer to historical norms.

Here is how we see prices this week:

Hot Rolled Coil: SMU price range is $720-$770 per ton ($36.00/cwt-$38.50/cwt) with an average of $745 per ton ($37.25/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: 3-8 weeks

Cold Rolled Coil: SMU price range is $810-$910 per ton ($40.50/cwt-$45.50/cwt) with an average of $860 per ton ($43.00/cwt) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range remained the same compared to last week, while the upper end rose $40 per ton. Our overall average is up $20 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: 5-8 weeks

Galvanized Coil: SMU base price range is $41.50/cwt-$46.50/cwt ($830-$930 per ton) with an average of $44.00/cwt ($880 per ton) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range increased $10 per ton compared to one week ago, while the upper end rose $60 per ton. Our overall average is up $35 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 $916-$1,016 per net ton with an average of $966 per ton FOB mill, east of the Rockies.

Galvanized Lead Times: 4-10 weeks

Galvalume Coil: SMU base price range is $42.50/cwt-$46.50/cwt ($850-$930 per ton) with an average of $44.50/cwt ($890 per ton) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range increased $10 per ton compared to last week, while the upper end rose $40 per ton. Our overall average is up $25 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 $1,141-$1,221 per net ton with an average of $1,181 per ton FOB mill, east of the Rockies.

Galvalume Lead Times: 6-10 weeks

Plate: SMU price range is $780-$870 per ton ($39.00/cwt-$43.50/cwt) with an average of $825 per ton ($41.25/cwt) FOB delivered. The lower end of our range decreased $30 per ton compared to one week ago, while the upper end increased $10 per ton. Our overall average is down -$10 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: 5-10 weeks

SMU Note: Below is a graphic showing our hot rolled, cold rolled, galvanized, Galvalume, and plate price history. This data is available here on our website with our interactive pricing tool. Note that plate prices are not yet available on our website, but we are in the process of adding that dataset. If you need help navigating the website or need to know your login information, contact us at info@SteelMarketUpdate.com or 800-432-3475.