Steel Prices

Nucor holds HRC CSP at $930/ton for third week
Written by Brett Linton
April 28, 2025
Nucor’s weekly consumer spot price (CSP) for hot-rolled (HR) coil remained unchanged this week.
As of Monday, April 28, the CSP stood at $930 per short ton (st). It has been at this price each of the past two weeks, down from $935/st one month prior.
The HR coil base price for Nucor subsidiary California Steel Industries (CSI) also held steady at $990/st, down from $995/st four weeks ago.
The Charlotte, N.C.-based steelmaker noted that lead times of three to five weeks remain available, and customers should contact their district sales manager for availability. Published extras apply to all spot transactions.
SMU’s April 22 market check found HR coil spot prices ranging from $840-950/st, averaging $895/st. Our HRC index was unchanged week over week but has declined $50/st over the past month. Updated indices will be published tomorrow evening.
SMU members can view historical flat-rolled and plate price announcements on our steel mill price announcement calendar.

Brett Linton
Read more from Brett LintonLatest in Steel Prices

SMU price ranges: Market stabilizes as summer slowdown begins
Most sheet and plate prices edged lower again this week, albeit at a slower pace compared to the movements seen over the last seven weeks. Buyers remain cautious and hesitant to hold onto much inventory, citing lingering demand concerns, ongoing tariff uncertainty, and a potentially weakening scrap market in June.

CRU: Pig iron prices stable to low in key markets amid soft demand
Market participants in both the US and Europe noted that most buyers are patiently waiting for prices to reduce as they have enough inventory at hand.

SMU price ranges: Indices drop across the board
All of SMU’s sheet and plate steel price indices declined this week, easing by $30-40 per short ton (st) on average since early May. Prices continue to slide lower as buyers remain on the sidelines, wary of holding much excess inventory and expecting further declines.

HRC vs. prime spread narrows further in May
The price spread between hot-rolled coil (HRC) and prime scrap narrowed again in May, according to SMU’s most recent pricing data.

Miller on Pig Iron: Buyers eye lower prices
Since the US ferrous scrap settlements for May have been finalized, steelmakers are turning their attention to continued pig iron flows with the wind behind their backs.