Steel Products Prices North America
SMU Survey: Higher Steel Prices Coming in New Year
Written by John Packard
January 8, 2017
The steel buyers and sellers of steel who responded to our first flat rolled steel market trends survey of the New Year foretold the move by AK Steel to raise flat rolled steel prices late on Friday.
Eighty-one percent of the respondents reported that they were expecting another flat rolled steel price increase (the 5th in the current market cycle) early in January 2017. At the same time, 78 percent of those responding felt the domestic steel mills were being a bit “overzealous” with the pace of the increase announcements.
Comments Made by Those Responding to Price Increase Question
“Order books are strong, lead times extending, inventory levels are in check, little to no imports and raw materials pricing is headed up = more price increases.” Steel mill
“I anticipate the mills will continue to push increases and then we will see another slide in the market similar to 2016.” Manufacturing company
“They never know when to stop.” Manufacturing company
“Lead times are still short. Depends on what scrap does this month.” Service center
“Possible – Plate has increased $190/t since Nov 07, 2016 – If demand increases – Scrap goes up – Inventories need replacing – lead- times stay out – I would expect to see another increase in the next 30 – 45 days. The stars need to align.” Service center
“Although this is not a good idea – stability would be significantly better for the market.” Service center
“Uncertain at this time. With no real activity during the holiday week it will take some time to see what is happening in the marketplace.” Supply house
Comments Made to Question about Steel Mills being “Overzealous” with their Increase Announcements
“They need to be careful they do not raise prices to the point where the steel purchasers market will limit purchases to supply definite orders for end user products. Lead times will be critical in this equation.” Supplier to the Industry
“Insufficient import competition helps the cause.” Trading company
“Not yet [being overzealous]. They realize that they are able to get another increase. No imports. Input costs are up.” Service center
“Time will tell if the mills have to cut prices as they did in 2016. What comes around goes around.” Manufacturing company
“The mills just continue to repeat past history.” Manufacturing company
“Business is business and you take what you can when you can and give back when you need to.” Service center
“Very much so! Had one supplier give me a price $3.00/cwt. over their announced price increase and the response I got was because we can right now!” Service center
“NO [not overzealous], they know to make money when they can.” Manufacturing company
John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in Steel Products Prices North America
Nucor lifts HR coil to $820/ton
Nucor has increased its consumer spot price (CSP) for hot-rolled (HR) coil for a fourth consecutive week.
Nucor pushes HR spot price to $790/ton
Nucor increased its consumer spot price (CSP) for hot-rolled (HR) coil to $790 per short ton (st) on Monday, Feb. 10 – a $15/st bump vs. last week. The Charlotte, N.C.-based company has raised its weekly CSP by $40/st over the past three weeks after maintaining tags at $750/st since Nov. 12, according to SMU’s […]
ArcelorMittal Dofasco increases spot sheet prices
ArcelorMittal Dofasco is raising spot sheet prices by CA$100 per ton (US$70/ton). The Hamilton, Ontario-based flat rolled steelmaker told customers the increase is effective immediately for all new orders. It did not specify to what level this brings its base prices but noted its right to re-quote previous but unconfirmed orders. “We will continue to […]
Nucor raises HR spot price to $775/ton
Nucor increased its consumer spot price (CSP) for hot-rolled (HR) coil to $775 per short ton (st) on Monday, Feb. 3. The $15/st week-on-week (w/w) rise marks the first back-to-back increases in the steelmaker’s weekly CSP since last August, according to SMU’s mill price announcement calendar. Nucor’s joint-venture subsidiary California Steel Industries (CSI) is also up […]
Nucor raises HR spot price to $760/ton
Nucor increased its consumer spot price (CSP) for hot-rolled (HR) coil to $760 per short ton (st) on Monday, Jan. 21. The $10/st week-on-week (w/w) rise marks the first increase in the CSP since Nov. 12. According to SMU’s mill price announcement calendar, the Charlotte, N.C.-based steelmaker held the weekly price at $750/st for 11 […]