Foreign HR import appeal shrinks as US prices ease

US hot-rolled (HR) coil prices saw further declines this week, while foreign prices were steady to slightly higher in the three regions we monitor. As a result, the competitiveness of foreign HR coil to US buyers continues to decrease.

On average, domestic HR prices are now just 6% more expensive than imported material. This theoretical foreign discount has been declining over the past five weeks, now over half of what it was one month ago but not quite as low as we saw back in March.

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.