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    Prices

    March 30, 2021

    SMU Price Ranges & Indices: Praise for Profitability

    Written by Brett Linton

    Mills and service centers report historic profitability, thanks to steel prices that continue to set new records every month. Steel Market Update’s canvass of the market this week puts the current price for hot rolled coil at $1,330 per ton, fully triple the pandemic-induced trough of $440 per ton in August last year. That amazing recovery appears still to have some legs, with flat rolled steel prices rising by another $10-25 per ton in the past week. SMU’s Price Momentum Indicators continue to point toward higher steel prices over the next 30 days. As one service center exec commented: “January was a record-setting month with regards to profitability, only to be outdone by February, which will be outdone by March. Looking ahead, I have no doubt that April will then surpass March’s figures. Needless to say, this is a fun run and something every service center needed/deserved.”

    Here is how we see prices this week:

    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.

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