SMU Price Ranges: Sheet and plate flat or down as hopes of rebound meet 'blah' demand
Sheet and plate prices were flat or lower this week as less discounting from domestic mills was offset by few signs of an anticipated rebound in demand.
Sheet and plate prices were flat or lower this week as less discounting from domestic mills was offset by few signs of an anticipated rebound in demand.
A compromise has been reached in the pig iron market, sources told SMU. Recall we reported US buyers were bidding $390 per metric ton (mt) FOB or less while sellers were holding sideways at about $400/mt.
Cold-rolled (CR) coil prices ticked up in the US this week, matching a similar trend seen in offshore markets as well.
Participants in the US carbon and steel plate market are frustrated by the lack of activity following the Labor Day holiday weekend.
With only a modest decline in US prices, HR imports, on a landed basis, remain much more expensive than domestic hot band.
The premium galvanized coil carries over hot-rolled coil (HRC) coil has marginally widened in recent months. As of Sept. 16, the spread between these two products reached a three-month high of $175 per short ton (st), though it is still low by historical standards.
SMU’s price ranges were mixed again this week as the market continues to seek a floor amid industry hopes for a Q4 rebound.
Half of the participants on this month's Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) Sheet Metal/Air Handling Council call expect galvanized steel base prices to remain flat at ~$48 per hundredweight ($960/short ton) for the next 30 days.
Nucor held its hot-rolled coil list price flat again this week, according to its Monday, Sept. 15 consumer spot price (CSP) notice.
Cold-rolled (CR) coil prices ticked lower in the US this week, while prices in offshore markets mostly diverged and ticked higher.
The pig iron market in Brazil is currently in flux and there have been few, if any, confirmed cargoes transacted for the US.
U.S. Steel has revised its Galvalume coating extras higher effective Nov. 2, 2025. The steelmaker released new extras to customers on Friday, Sept. 12.
Sheet prices are expected to increase in the coming weeks in most markets. However, rising domestic capacity in the US, subdued demand in Europe, and high inventory levels in China and India will limit price near-term uptrend.
Domestic hot-rolled (HR) coil prices ticked down this week after holding flat since mid-August. Offshore prices largely all moved higher week over week (w/w), widening the margin between stateside and foreign product.
Participants in the hot-rolled steel sheet market expect the market to remain subdued through the end of the year.
Market sources say demand for domestic plate refuses to budge despite stagnating prices.
Sheet prices were mixed this week as some mills continued to offer significant discounts to larger buyers while others have shifted toward being more disciplined, market participants said.
Nucor kept hot-rolled (HR) coil prices unchanged this week, according to its latest consumer spot price (CSP) notice on Sept. 8.
Cold-rolled (CR) coil prices ticked lower in the US this week, while prices in offshore markets diverged and ticked higher.
The Brazilian-US pig iron market has remained quiet, market sources told SMU.
Domestic hot-rolled (HR) coil prices were flat this week for a third straight week. Offshore prices all moved higher w/w, widening the margin between stateside and foreign product.
SMU’s hot-rolled (HR) coil price held steady this week while prices for other sheet and plate products declined.
Nucor kept its weekly list price for hot-rolled (HR) coil unchanged this week, following a price bump of $10 per short ton (st) last week.
Domestic hot-rolled (HR) coil prices were flat this week, while offshore prices varied week over week (w/w). The price margin between stateside and foreign product was little changed as a result.
Most steelmaking raw material prices we track saw little change across the month of August. Iron ore, pig iron, shredded scrap, busheling scrap, zinc, and aluminum prices all held relatively steady,
Steel prices remained largely unchanged this week, staying at or near lows last seen in February. All five sheet and plate products tracked by SMU moved by no more than $5 per short ton (st) from the previous week.
The majority of steel buyers responding to our market survey this week continue to say that mills are negotiable on new spot order prices. Negotiation rates have remained high since May.
HRC prices in the US eroded further last week, while offshore prices varied week over week (w/w), widening the price margin between stateside and foreign product.
Sheet and plate prices were flat or lower again this week on continued concerns about demand and higher production rates among US mills.
Prices remain subdued in US pig iron market, sources said.