Steel Products Prices North America

SMU Price Ranges & Indices: Prices Up Again

Written by John Packard

January 2, 2018

The fire at AK Steel helped some buyers to accept the price levels being suggested by the domestic mills. Steel Market Update heard from a number of sources that offer prices were in many cases close to the levels suggested by ArcelorMittal USA in their most recent price announcement: $720 per ton hot rolled ($36.00/cwt) and $900 per ton base price minimums on cold rolled and coated steels ($45.00/cwt). Flat rolled prices rose modestly this week and plate prices by double digits.

Here is how we see prices this week:

Hot Rolled Coil: SMU price range is $680-$730 per ton ($34.00/cwt-$36.50/cwt) with an average of $705 per ton ($35.25/cwt) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range remained the same compared to our adjusted price last Thursday, while the upper end rose $20 per ton. Our overall average is up $10 compared to last Thursday. Our price momentum on hot rolled steel is now pointing to Higher indicating prices are expected to increase over the next 30-60 days.

Hot Rolled Lead Times: 3-6 weeks

Cold Rolled Coil: SMU price range is $800-$880 per ton ($40.00/cwt-$44.00/cwt) with an average of $840 per ton ($42.00/cwt) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range decreased $10 per ton compared to last week, while the upper end remained the same. Our overall average is down $5 per ton compared to one week ago. Our price momentum on cold rolled steel is now pointing to Higher indicating prices are expected to increase over the next 30-60 days.

Cold Rolled Lead Times: 5-8 weeks

Galvanized Coil: SMU base price range is $40.00/cwt-$44.00/cwt ($800-$880 per ton) with an average of $42.00/cwt ($840 per ton) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range increased $10 per ton compared to one week ago, while the upper end remained the same. Our overall average is up $5 per ton compared to last week. Our price momentum on galvanized steel is now pointing to Higher indicating prices are expected to increase over the next 30-60 days.

Galvanized .060” G90 Benchmark: SMU price range is $886-$966 per net ton with an average of $926 per ton FOB mill, east of the Rockies.

Galvanized Lead Times: 4-12 weeks

Galvalume Coil: SMU base price range is $42.00/cwt-$44.00/cwt ($840-$880 per ton) with an average of $43.00/cwt ($860 per ton) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range increased $50 per ton compared to last week, while the upper end decreased $10 per ton. Our overall average is up $20 per ton compared to one week ago. Our price momentum on Galvalume steel is now pointing to Higher indicating prices are expected to increase over the next 30-60 days.

Galvalume .0142” AZ50, Grade 80 Benchmark: SMU price range is $1,131-$1,171 per net ton with an average of $1,151 per ton FOB mill, east of the Rockies.

Galvalume Lead Times: 6-8 weeks

Plate: SMU price range is $780-$810 per ton ($39.00/cwt-$40.50/cwt) with an average of $795 per ton ($39.75/cwt) FOB delivered. The lower end of our range rose $40 per ton compared to one week ago, while the lower end rose $10. Our overall average is up $25 per ton compared to last week. Our price momentum on plate steel is now pointing to Higher indicating prices are expected to increase over the next 30-60 days.

Plate Lead Times: 5-7 weeks

SMU Note: Below is a graphic showing our hot rolled, cold rolled, galvanized, Galvalume, and plate price history. To use the graph’s interactive capabilities, you must view it on our website here. If you need help navigating the website or need to know your login information, contact us at info@SteelMarketUpdate.com or 800-432-3475.

John Packard

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