Prices
February 20, 2025
Written by Michael Cowden
NLMK USA has opened its April order book at new, higher base prices for steel sheet, according to market participants.
The steelmaker is seeking at least $900 per short ton (st) for hot-rolled (HR) coil and at least $1,100/st for cold-rolled and coated products, they said.
Nucor said on Thursday evening it plans to increase plate prices by $60 per short ton (st) as it opens its November order book.
Sheet and plate prices continued to inch higher on a combination of scarce spot tons, long lead times, lean inventories, and stable demand.
Nucor said its consumer spot price for hot-rolled coil will be $1,220 per short ton (st) for the week of Sept. 28. That's a 10/st increase from a week earlier.
US sheet buyers have grappled with supply scarcity in both the spot and contract markets throughout 2026. Now the supply squeeze is spilling over into 2027, according to market participants.
Recycler forward expectations swung toward oversupply in September as inventory drawdowns eased and export demand lost August’s improving responses.