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    May 11, 2021

    SMU Price Ranges & Indices: HR Rises for 40th Week in a Row

    Written by Brett Linton

    Hot rolled steel prices have been on the rise for 40 weeks in a row now, reaching a new pinnacle of $1,570 per ton—at least until next week when they likely set another new record. Steel Market Update’s Price Momentum Indicator continues to point toward higher prices over the next 30 days. SMU’s check of the market this week shows flat rolled prices generally up another $30-40 per ton. The average price for galvanized is unchanged from SMU’s calculation last week. Demand continues to overwhelm supplies, as buyers struggle to find enough steel to meet their customers’ needs. As one said this week: “It used to be easy to get steel and hard to make the sale. Today it’s the opposite.”

    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.

    Read more from Brett Linton

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