Steel Products Prices North America

SMU Price Ranges & Indices: Has the Train Left the Station?

Written by Brett Linton

July 15, 2014

Flat rolled steel prices have begun to firm, especially on hot rolled. Whether this is due to an adjustment of the psychology of the market related to the OCTG final determination by the US Department of Commerce or for some other reason we are not quite sure. However, as discussed in the article above, market players are more bullish this week and this has affected the lower end of the pricing range on hot rolled and cold rolled. Galvanized and Galvalume are steady but have not been impacted to the degree as HRC and CRC.

Here is how we are seeing prices this week:

Hot Rolled Coil: SMU Range is $660-$680 per ton ($33.00/cwt- $34.00/cwt) with an average of $670 per ton ($33.50/cwt) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range increased by $20 per ton compared to last week while the upper end remained the same. Our average is now $10 per ton higher compared to one week ago. SMU price momentum for hot rolled is for prices to remain neutral over the next 30 days.

Hot Rolled Lead Times: 3-5 weeks.

Cold Rolled Coil: SMU Range is $770-$810 per ton ($38.50/cwt- $40.50/cwt) with an average of $790 per ton ($39.50/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. SMU price momentum on cold rolled is for prices to remain neutral over the next 30 days.

Cold Rolled Lead Times: 5-9 weeks.

Galvanized 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 one week ago. SMU anticipates galvanized base prices will remain neutral over the next 30 days.

Galvanized .060” G90 Benchmark: SMU Range is $830-$860 per ton with an average of $845 per ton FOB mill, east of the Rockies.

Galvanized Lead Times: 4-9 weeks.

Galvalume Coil: SMU Base Price Range is $760-$820 per ton ($38.00/cwt- $41.00/cwt) with an average of $790 per ton ($39.50/cwt) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range remained the same compared to last week while the upper end increased by $10 per ton. Our average is now $5 per ton higher compared to last week. Our expectation is for Galvalume prices to remain neutral over the next 30 days.

Galvalume .0142” AZ50, Grade 80 Benchmark: SMU Range is $1051-$1111 per ton with an average of $1081 per ton FOB mill, east of the Rockies.

Galvalume Lead Times: 5-9 weeks.

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Brett Linton

Brett Linton is a senior analyst for Steel Market Update, where he began his career. Linton has been in the steel industry since 2010. He has held roles as a category manager and strategic insights director at Reibus before returning to SMU in 2024. He is a graduate of The University of North Georgia with a degree in Finance and Accounting. Brett can be reached at brett@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-314-0179.

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