December at a Glance: Downward Momentum

The year ended on a cautionary note with steel demand, prices and buyers’ sentiment showing downward momentum in December.

Prices for flat rolled products continued their fourth-quarter declines with hot rolled dipping to $754, cold rolled to $865 and galvanized to $931 in December. Plate is the notable exception, holding steady around $1,000 per ton, plus or minus, as it has for the past few months. Were it not for ferrous scrap prices that saw modest increases in November and December, the declines in finished steel prices could have been greater.

Brett Linton

Brett Linton is a digital operations analyst for Steel Market Update, where he began his career. Linton has been in the steel industry since 2010. He has held roles as a category manager and strategic insights director at Reibus before returning to SMU in 2024. He is a graduate of The University of North Georgia with a degree in Finance and Accounting. Brett can be reached at brett@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-314-0179.