October at a Glance: Price Slide Continued

Except for plate, which held its own at around $1,000 a ton, steel prices generally weakened further in October, continuing a decline that began this summer. Steel Market Update data in the table below shows that the benchmark hot rolled coil price dipped below $800 per ton after sliding by about $45 during the month. Cold rolled fared a bit better, ending the month about where it started at $935 per ton. But coated product prices saw further erosion with galvanized giving up about $20 and Galvalume $5 during the course of the month.

Mills announced price increases on both sheet and plate products in October, but it remains to be seen whether they will gain traction in the marketplace and reverse the downtrend before year’s end. Both prime and obsolete scrap prices rose a bit in October over the prior month, which should lend support to stabilizing or rising finished steel prices. But Steel Market Update’s Price Momentum Indicator remains at Neutral because it is unclear if steel prices have yet found a bottom.