Steel Products
Nucor, U.S. Steel Seek $40 Increase for Flat Rolled
Written by Tim Triplett
October 25, 2019
Nucor and U.S. Steel raised prices on their flat rolled products by $40 per ton ($2/cwt) today, following on similar announcements by ArcelorMittal and NLMK USA yesterday. The mills are hoping to reverse the slide that has taken the benchmark price of hot rolled steel from more than $700 per ton to less than $500 per ton since the beginning of the year.
Nucor’s Sheet Mill Group informed customers Friday that the base price of its hot rolled, cold rolled and galvanized products would increase by $40 per ton, effective immediately.
U.S. Steel notified its North American Flat-Rolled Sales Organization Friday that base pricing for new spot orders of all flat rolled products would increase by a minimum of $40 per net ton. Pricing extras, as published, continue to apply.
The price hike by the major flat rolled mills, the first since late July, was widely anticipated in the marketplace and welcomed by service centers who have seen the value of their inventories and profit margins erode. Even with the support of the distributors, it remains to be seen how much of the increase the mills will manage to collect, and for how long. Similar increases earlier this year produced only small, temporary bumps in spot steel prices.
{loadposition reserved_message}

Tim Triplett
Read more from Tim TriplettLatest in Steel Products

September energy market update
In this Premium analysis we examine North American oil and natural gas prices, drill rig activity, and crude oil stock levels through September. Trends in energy prices and rig counts serve as leading indicators for oil country tubular goods (OCTG) and line pipe demand.

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

U.S. Steel to halt slab conversion at Granite City Works
U.S. Steel said it plans to reduce slab consumption at its Granite City Works near St. Louis, a company spokesperson said on Monday. The Pittsburgh-based steelmaker will shift the production and processing of steel slabs to its Mon Valley Works near Pittsburgh and its Gary Works near Chicago. Citing a United Steelworkers (USW) union memo, […]

SMU Week in Review: September 1-5
Here are highlights of what’s happened this past week and a few upcoming things to keep an eye on.

HR Futures: Market finds footing on supply-side mechanics
As Labor Day marks the transition into fall, the steel market enters September with a similar sense of change. Supply-side fundamentals are beginning to show signs of restraint: imports are limited, outages loom, and production is capped, setting the stage for a market that feels steady on the surface but still unsettled underneath.