Steel Products Prices North America

SMU Price Ranges & Indices: Prices Drop, Ranges Narrow
Written by Brett Linton
November 13, 2018
Flat rolled steel prices dropped this week based on our analysis of the market. Benchmark hot rolled coil dropped $5 per ton and is now averaging $800 per ton ($40.00/cwt). We saw even larger negative price movements in cold rolled, galvanized and Galvalume steels. Plate prices, however, were flat and the expectation of plate steel buyers is for plate prices to remain stable to up for January’s order book.
Here is how we see prices this week:
Hot Rolled Coil: SMU price range is $770-$830 per ton ($38.50/cwt-$41.50/cwt) with an average of $800 per ton ($40.00/cwt) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range remained the same compared to one week ago, while the upper end declined $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: 3-5 weeks
Cold Rolled Coil: SMU price range is $880-$920 per ton ($44.00/cwt-$46.00/cwt) with an average of $900 per ton ($45.00/cwt) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. Both the lower and upper ends of our range fell $20 per ton compared to last week. Our overall average is also down $20 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: 5-8 weeks
Galvanized Coil: SMU base price range is $43.50/cwt-$46.50/cwt ($870-$930 per ton) with an average of $45.00/cwt ($900 per ton) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. Both the lower and upper ends of our range fell $10 per ton compared to one week ago. Our overall average is also down $10 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 $948-$1,008 per net ton with an average of $978 per ton FOB mill, east of the Rockies.
Galvanized Lead Times: 4-9 weeks
Galvalume Coil: SMU base price range is $44.50/cwt-$46.00/cwt ($890-$920 per ton) with an average of $45.25/cwt ($905 per ton) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range fell $10 compared to last week, while the upper end declined $30 per ton. Our overall average is down $20 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 $1,181-$1,211 per net ton with an average of $1,196 per ton FOB mill, east of the Rockies.
Galvalume Lead Times: 6-8 weeks
Plate: SMU price range is $980-$1,040 per ton ($49.00/cwt-$52.00/cwt) with an average of $1,010 per ton ($50.50/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 also unchanged compared to last week. Our price momentum on plate steel is Neutral meaning we expect 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: 5-9 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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