Category: Prices

More people expect hot-rolled (HR) coil prices to continue to climb. And most respondents to our last survey predict that prices will hit or even breach the $1,100 per short ton (st) threshold.

Sheet and plate prices continued to hold steady or tick upward once again this week. And the factors behind the gains are familiar ones: limited spot tonnage, stable demand, limited import competition, and outages (planned or otherwise) at domestic mills.

Nucor plans to increase its list price for hot-rolled (HR) coil to $1,040 per short ton (st), up $5/st from last week.

At least two major US plate producers - SSAB Americas and Nucor - plan to increase plate prices by at least $60 per short ton (st).

The price gap between US hot-rolled coil (HR) and landed offshore product tightened this week.

Most steel buyers report that mills are not willing to negotiate on new order spot prices, according to our latest market survey. Mill negotiability is now down to one of the lowest rates measured in over a year.

Sheet and plate prices were flat or modestly higher this week, continuing a trend we’ve seen since the beginning of Q4. The big question: How much longer can the trend hold?

Nucor has increased its consumer spot price (CSP) for hot-rolled (HR) coil to $1,035 per short ton (st), a $10/st bump from last week.

Prices for iron ore, aluminum, pig iron, and shredded scrap have all risen in the last 30 days. Busheling scrap held steady, while zinc and coking coal declined.

CR imports from Germany, Italy, and Japan on a landed basis remain much more expensive than domestic product. But South Korean imports remain competitive, in theory, even with the 50% Section 232 tariff.

Most steel buyers see prices continuing to inch higher on stable or improving demand. But some are concerned higher energy prices stemming for the Iran war could dent the overall economy.

The price gap between US hot-rolled coil (HR) and landed offshore product remained within a tight band this week. The dynamic continues as both stateside and offshore prices have trended higher.

Sheet prices continue to inch higher. And people who once thought hot-rolled coil (HR) prices couldn’t go above $1,000 are now saying $1,100 doesn’t seem out of the question.

The pace of sheet and plate price increases slowed this week, with most products holding at some of the highest levels seen in over a year.

Nucor raised its consumer spot price (CSP) for hot-rolled (HR) coil to $1,025 per short ton (st), up $10/st from last week.

Plate market sources say the week has been quiet, but that overall, business remains consistent.

As spot prices for hot- and cold-rolled coils edge higher, mill capacity utilization rates hover below 80%, raising concern among some market participants.  

Most steel buyers report that domestic mills are unwilling to negotiate price on new sheet and plate spot orders.

Prices for both sheet and plate products climbed higher this week, with some rising to multi-year highs, according to SMU's latest market canvass.

Nucor raised its consumer spot price for hot-rolled coil to $1,015 per short ton, up $5/st from last week.

This week sources said spot prices on hot-rolled coils increased modestly. 

A month ago, the steel market was defined by stability. Prices had firmed and held, and the HRC futures curve appeared to be absorbing strength and follow-through rather than rejecting it. Since then, that stability has evolved into something more meaningful, repricing.

The price gap between US hot-rolled coil (HR) and landed offshore product widened this week, as stateside tags were little changed.

Domestic plate market participants expressed confidence in the overall improvement of market conditions this week.  

Earlier this week, SMU polled steel buyers on an array of topics, ranging from market prices, demand, and inventories to tariffs, imports, and evolving market events.

Nucor Plate Group notified customers it is increasing prices on all rolled products by $40 per short ton (st) and $60/st on all heat treat products.  

SMU's sheet and plate prices were flat or higher this week in a US market that remains characterized by extended lead times and limited spot availability.

The US scrap market softened in March as most grades traded sideways, with prices seen falling next month, sources told SMU.

Nucor’s consumer spot price (CSP) for hot-rolled coil increased to $1,010 per short ton (st), up $5/st from last week. 

Prices are moving up and lead times moving. And most people expect them to continue to do so for a little while longer, according to our latest survey results. But there is one big wildcard: the Iran war.