Steel Products Prices North America

SMU Price Ranges & Indices: Flat Rolled Generally Lower, Plate Stable
Written by Brett Linton
October 9, 2018
We saw mixed results in the flat rolled markets this week. Benchmark hot rolled dropped $5 per ton compared to one week ago. Cold rolled was modestly higher ($5/ton), while galvanized and Galvalume were down $15 per ton. Plate prices remained intact with no change compared to one week ago.
Here is how we see prices this week:
Hot Rolled Coil: SMU price range is $800-$870 per ton ($40.00/cwt-$43.50/cwt) with an average of $835 per ton ($41.75/cwt) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range declined $20 per ton compared to one week ago, while the upper end rose $10 per ton. Our overall average is down $5 per ton compared to last week. Our price momentum on hot rolled steel is Lower meaning we expect prices to decline over the next 30 to 60 days.
Hot Rolled Lead Times: 2-6 weeks
Cold Rolled Coil: SMU price range is $920-$960 per ton ($46.00/cwt-$48.00/cwt) with an average of $940 per ton ($47.00/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 $10 per ton. Our overall average is up $5 per ton compared to one week ago. Our price momentum on cold rolled steel is Lower meaning we expect prices to decline over the next 30 to 60 days.
Cold Rolled Lead Times: 4-8 weeks
Galvanized Coil: SMU base price range is $45.00/cwt-$48.00/cwt ($900-$960 per ton) with an average of $46.50/cwt ($930 per ton) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range fell $20 per ton compared to one week ago, while the upper end declined $10 per ton. Our overall average is down $15 per ton compared to last week. Our price momentum on galvanized steel is Lower meaning we expect prices to decline over the next 30 to 60 days.
Galvanized .060” G90 Benchmark: SMU price range is $978-$1,038 per net ton with an average of $1,008 per ton FOB mill, east of the Rockies.
Galvanized Lead Times: 4-8 weeks
Galvalume Coil: SMU base price range is $45.00/cwt-$48.00/cwt ($900-$960 per ton) with an average of $46.50/cwt ($930 per ton) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range fell $20 per ton compared to last week, while the upper end declined $10 per ton. Our overall average is down $15 per ton compared to one week ago. Our price momentum on Galvalume steel is Lower meaning we expect prices to decline over the next 30 to 60 days.
Galvalume .0142” AZ50, Grade 80 Benchmark: SMU price range is $1,191-$1,251 per net ton with an average of $1,221 per ton FOB mill, east of the Rockies.
Galvalume Lead Times: 4-10 weeks
Plate: SMU price range is $980-$1,030 per ton ($49.00/cwt-$51.50/cwt) with an average of $1,005 per ton ($50.25/cwt) FOB delivered to the customer’s facility. 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 plate steel is for stable prices once the mills open their December order books. The domestic plate mills continue to be on controlled order entry as their order books are strong with limited spot plate tonnage available.
Plate Lead Times: 7-10 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.

Brett Linton
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