Steel Products Prices North America

SMU Price Ranges & Indices: Ups and Downs

Written by Brett Linton

October 26, 2021

Hot rolled steel prices have declined for the fifth time in the last seven weeks to an average of $1,885 per ton, according to Steel Market Update’s check of the market on Monday and Tuesday. That’s down $70 per ton from the high reached in the first week of September. Price momentum for HR is pointing downward on reports of some softening demand, inventory surpluses and competition from imports. Prices for cold rolled and Galvalume dipped by $15 per ton, while galvanized saw a small $5 uptick. Except for hot rolled, where the trend is pretty clear, prices for other flat rolled products have bounced up and down within a small range for the past two months. SMU will keep its Price Momentum Indicators on neutral for those products until the trend is more firmly established. Meanwhile, the mills continue to raise plate prices. Plate hit a new high this week at an average of $1,850 per ton, up $50 from last week and nearly three times higher than at this time last year.

Hot Rolled Coil: SMU price range is $1,850-$1,920 per net ton ($92.50-$96.00/cwt) with an average of $1,885 per ton ($94.25/cwt) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range decreased $50 per ton compared to last week, while the upper end remained unchanged. Our overall average is down $25 per ton from one week ago. Our price momentum on hot rolled steel is Lower, meaning we expect prices to decrease over the next 30 days.

Hot Rolled Lead Times: 6-11 weeks

Cold Rolled Coil: SMU price range is $2,000-$2,200 per net ton ($100.00-$110.00/cwt) with an average of $2,100 per ton ($105.00/cwt) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range decreased $30 per ton compared to one week ago, while the upper end remained unchanged. Our overall average is down $15 per ton from last week. Our price momentum on cold rolled steel will remain Neutral until the market establishes a clear direction.

Cold Rolled Lead Times: 7-12 weeks

Galvanized Coil: SMU price range is $2,030-$2,200 per net ton ($101.50-$110.00/cwt) with an average of $2,115 per ton ($105.75/cwt) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range increased $30 per ton compared to last week, while the upper end decreased $20. Our overall average is up $5 per ton from one week ago. Our price momentum on galvanized steel will remain Neutral until the market establishes a clear direction.

Galvanized .060” G90 Benchmark: SMU price range is $2,108-$2,278 per ton with an average of $2,193 per ton FOB mill, east of the Rockies.

Galvanized Lead Times: 7-14 weeks

Galvalume Coil: SMU price range is $2,000-$2,210 per net ton ($100.00-$110.50/cwt) with an average of $2,105 per ton ($105.25/cwt) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range remained unchanged compared to one week ago, while the upper end decreased $30 per ton. Our overall average is down $15 per ton from last week. Our price momentum on Galvalume steel will remain Neutral until the market establishes a clear direction.

Galvalume .0142” AZ50, Grade 80 Benchmark: SMU price range is $2,291-$2,501 per ton with an average of $2,396 per ton FOB mill, east of the Rockies.

Galvalume Lead Times: 7-15 weeks

Plate: SMU price range is $1,770-$1,930 per net ton ($88.50-$96.50/cwt) with an average of $1,850 per ton ($92.50/cwt) FOB mill. The lower end of our range increased $45 per ton compared to last week, while the upper end increased $55. Our overall average is up $50 per ton from one week ago. Our price momentum on plate steel will remain Neutral until the market establishes a clear direction.

Plate Lead Times: 5-9 weeks

SMU Note: Below is a graphic showing our hot rolled, cold rolled, galvanized, Galvalume, and plate price history. This data is available here on our website with our interactive pricing tool. If you need help navigating the website or need to know your login information, contact us at info@SteelMarketUpdate.com.

Brett Linton

Brett Linton is a senior 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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