SMU Data and Models

SMU Price Ranges & Indices: Gradual Move Higher

Written by John Packard

December 10, 2013

Steel buyers advised Steel Market Update that there has been very little movement in flat rolled steel prices this week. We did make a correction to the range on galvanized coils adjusting the lower end of the range to $38.50/cwt based on the data we collected directly from buyers this week. We also saw small adjustments on hot rolled and Galvalume.

Buyers advised Steel Market Update that there has been very little discussion from “legitimate” commercial sources at the domestic steel mills regarding price increases. A number of the larger buyers believe that the mills will bide their time before making their next move. However, smaller service centers and the general populace are of the opinion price announcements will be made soon.

Here is how we are seeing prices this week:

Hot Rolled Coil: SMU Range is $660-$690 per ton ($33.00/cwt- $34.50/cwt) with an average of $675 per ton ($33.75/cwt) fob mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range increased by $10 per ton compared to last week while the upper end remained the same. Our average is now $5 per ton higher compared to last week. The trend for hot rolled is for prices to rise over the next 30 days.

Hot Rolled Lead Times: 3-6 weeks.

Cold Rolled Coil: SMU Range is $760-$780 per ton ($38.00/cwt- $40.00/cwt) with an average of $780 per ton ($39.00/cwt) fob mill, east of the Rockies. Both the lower and upper ends of our range remained the same compared to last week. Our average is unchanged compared to last week. The trend for cold rolled is for prices to rise over the next 30 days.

Cold Rolled Lead Times: 5-8 weeks.

Galvanized Coil: SMU Base Price Range is $770-$790 per ton ($38.50/cwt- $39.50/cwt) with an average of $780 per ton ($39.00/cwt) fob mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range increased by $30 per ton compared to last week while the upper end remained the same. Our average is now $15 per ton higher compared to last week. The trend for galvanized is for prices to rise over the next 30 days.

Galvanized .060” G90 Benchmark: SMU Range is $830-$850 per ton with an average of $840 per ton.

Galvanized Lead Times: 4-8 weeks.

Galvalume Coil: SMU Base Price Range is $770-$800 per ton ($38.50/cwt- $40.00/cwt) with an average of $785 per ton ($39.25/cwt) fob mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range increased by $10 per ton compared to last week while the upper end remained the same. Our average is now $5 per ton higher compared to last week. The trend for Galvalume is for prices to rise over the next 30 days.

Galvalume .0142” AZ50, Grade 80 Benchmark: SMU Range is $1061-$1091 per ton with an average of $1076 per ton.

Galvalume Lead Times: 5-8 weeks.

Below is an interactive graph of hot rolled, cold rolled, galvanized and Galvalume averages over the past few months. The graph is only visible when reading the newsletter online. Click on the Read Full Text link just below the Steel Market Update logo to go to the website, log in and read the full issue including the graphics.

{amchart id=”110″ Weekly Pricing Article Graph- Use for NEWSLETTER}

John Packard

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