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    Prime scrap tags level in May, shredded and HMS slip

    Written by Ethan Bernard


    Domestic scrap prices this month were flat for prime material but down for HMS and shredded, scrap sources told SMU.

    “May trading for obsolete grades ranged anywhere from sideways in Philadelphia to down $10-20 in other regions of the country,” one scrap source said.

    Ethan Bernard

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    Most SMU scrap sources are predicting a stronger scrap market for November. The increase in prices is generally thought be $20-30 per gross ton (gt) in most districts. However, there are differences of opinion about the upcoming price settlements. SMU spoke with a trading source in the Great Lakes region who told us mills in the Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania regions are short on scrap. At least one buyer is offering to buy scrap at a $30/gt increase from October levels. He said most dealers have elected to wait to see where things settle before making commitments.