Steel Products Prices North America

SMU Price Ranges & Indices: Stable
Written by John Packard
May 15, 2018
Flat rolled steel prices were mixed again this week. Benchmark hot rolled saw erosion at the low end and a slight increase at the top end of our range. The net result being HRC is unchanged compared to one week ago. Other products saw similar adjustments with most averages being close to where they were last week.
Here is how we see prices this week:
Hot Rolled Coil: SMU price range is $850-$910 per ton ($42.50/cwt-$45.50/cwt) with an average of $880 per ton ($44.00/cwt) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range fell $10 per ton compared to one week ago, while the upper end rose $10. Our overall average is unchanged compared to last week. Our price momentum on hot rolled steel is now pointing to Neutral indicating prices are expected to remain steady over the next 30-60 days.
Hot Rolled Lead Times: 4-8 weeks
Cold Rolled Coil: SMU price range is $990-$1,030 per ton ($49.50/cwt-$51.50/cwt) with an average of $1,010 per ton ($50.50/cwt) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. Both the lower and upper ends of our range rose $10 compared to last week. Our overall average is up $10 per ton compared to one week ago. Our price momentum on cold rolled steel is now pointing to Neutral indicating prices are expected to remain steady over the next 30-60 days.
Cold Rolled Lead Times: 5-8 weeks
Galvanized Coil: SMU base price range is $49.50/cwt-$52.50/cwt ($990-$1,050 per ton) with an average of $51.00/cwt ($1,020 per ton) 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 compared to last week. Our price momentum on galvanized steel is now pointing to Neutral indicating prices are expected to remain steady over the next 30-60 days.
Galvanized .060” G90 Benchmark: SMU price range is $1,076-$1,136 per net ton with an average of $1,106 per ton FOB mill, east of the Rockies.
Galvanized Lead Times: 5-12 weeks
Galvalume Coil: SMU base price range is $50.50/cwt-$52.50/cwt ($1,010-$1,050 per ton) with an average of $51.50/cwt ($1,030 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 fell $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 Neutral indicating prices are expected to remain steady over the next 30-60 days.
Galvalume .0142” AZ50, Grade 80 Benchmark: SMU price range is $1,301-$1,341 per net ton with an average of $1,321 per ton FOB mill, east of the Rockies.
Galvalume Lead Times: 6-10 weeks
Plate: SMU price range is $930-$970 per ton ($46.50/cwt-$48.50/cwt) with an average of $950 per ton ($47.50/cwt) FOB delivered. The lower end of our range rose $10 per ton compared to one week ago, while the upper end fell $30 per ton. Our overall average is down $10 compared to last week. Our price momentum on plate steel is pointing to Higher indicating prices are expected to rise over the next 30-60 days.
Plate Lead Times: 5-8 weeks, allocation/controlled order entry
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.

John Packard
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