Steel Products Prices North America

Import Licenses Trending Below Average in August
Written by Brett Linton
August 22, 2019
With about 10 days left in the month, steel imports are trending below average at just over 2.2 million tons, based on Commerce Department license data.
Imports of semifinished steel, at around 240,000 tons, are tracking at less than half of normal levels following a surge in July. Domestic mills scrambled last month to secure imported slabs, as July was the first month of the third quarter. Semifinished imports from certain countries, notably Brazil, are subject to quarterly quota limits.
Finished steel imports are looking to top 2 million tons this month, slightly higher than the three-month and 12-month averages. Hot rolled and Galvalume are the only finished steel products showing an increase in licenses from July to August.

Brett Linton
Read more from Brett LintonLatest in Steel Products Prices North America

HRC-galvanized price gap edges higher
The premium galvanized coil carries over hot-rolled coil (HRC) coil has marginally widened in recent months. As of Sept. 16, the spread between these two products reached a three-month high of $175 per short ton (st), though it is still low by historical standards.

SMU Price Ranges: HR slips, hopes for Q4 rebound still standing
SMU’s price ranges were mixed again this week as the market continues to seek a floor amid industry hopes for a Q4 rebound.

Nucor’s hot band list price holds at $875/ton
Nucor held its hot-rolled coil list price flat again this week, according to its Monday, Sept. 15 consumer spot price (CSP) notice.

Market says cutting interest rates will spur stalled domestic plate demand
Market sources say demand for domestic plate refuses to budge despite stagnating prices.

SMU Price Ranges: Some predict bottom is near as big discounts dry up
Sheet prices were mixed this week as some mills continued to offer significant discounts to larger buyers while others have shifted toward being more disciplined, market participants said.