Steel Products Prices North America

SMU Price Ranges & Indices: Another Quiet Week

May 8, 2018

Flat rolled and plate steel prices were mixed in what has to be considered yet another quiet week for pricing. Steel buyers have mixed feelings as to where steel prices go from here, with some believing prices have no place to go but up and others looking at the HRC futures market (which is backwardated) and believing prices have no place to go but down. SMU continues to be Neutral on the subject, although we do think steel buyers need to be aware of the total ramifications associated with Section 232/exclusions/tariffs along with circumvention and AD/CVD that already exists. We will have much more on those subjects soon.

Here is how we see prices this week:

Hot Rolled Coil: SMU price range is $860-$900 per ton ($43.00/cwt-$45.00/cwt) with an average of $880 per ton ($44.00/cwt) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. Both the lower and upper ends of our range remained the same compared to one week ago. Our overall average is unchanged compared to last week. Our price momentum on hot rolled steel is now pointing to Neutral indicating prices are expected to remain steady over the next 30-60 days.

Hot Rolled Lead Times: 5-12 weeks

Cold Rolled Coil: SMU price range is $980-$1,020 per ton ($49.00/cwt-$51.00/cwt) with an average of $1,000 per ton ($50.00/cwt) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range declined $10 per ton compared to last week, while the upper end fell $20 per ton. Our overall average is down $15 per ton compared to one week ago. Our price momentum on cold rolled steel is now pointing to Neutral indicating prices are expected to remain steady over the next 30-60 days.

Cold Rolled Lead Times: 5-12 weeks

Galvanized Coil: SMU base price range is $49.00/cwt-$52.50/cwt ($980-$1,050 per ton) with an average of $50.75/cwt ($1,015 per ton) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. Both the lower and upper ends of our range remained the same compared to one week ago. Our overall average is unchanged compared to last week. Our price momentum on galvanized steel is now pointing to Neutral indicating prices are expected to remain steady over the next 30-60 days.

Galvanized .060” G90 Benchmark: SMU price range is $1,066-$1,136 per net ton with an average of $1,101 per ton FOB mill, east of the Rockies.

Galvanized Lead Times: 6-12 weeks

Galvalume Coil: SMU base price range is $50.50/cwt-$53.00/cwt ($1,010-$1,060 per ton) with an average of $51.75/cwt ($1,035 per ton) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range rose $10 per ton compared to last week, while the upper end remained the same. Our overall average is up $5 per ton compared to one week ago. Our price momentum on Galvalume steel is now pointing to Neutral indicating prices are expected to remain steady over the next 30-60 days.

Galvalume .0142” AZ50, Grade 80 Benchmark: SMU price range is $1,301-$1,351 per net ton with an average of $1,326 per ton FOB mill, east of the Rockies.

Galvalume Lead Times: 6-11 weeks

Plate: SMU price range is $920-$1,000 per ton ($46.00/cwt-$50.00/cwt) with an average of $960 per ton ($48.00/cwt) FOB delivered. The lower end of our range fell $10 per ton compared to one week ago, while the upper end remained the same. Our overall average is down $5 compared to last week. Our price momentum on plate steel is pointing to Higher indicating prices are expected to rise over the next 30-60 days. SMU Note: Because of controlled order entry and with not all the mills booking the same months, we are getting wide pricing spreads.

Plate Lead Times: Allocation/controlled order entry

SMU Note: Below is a graphic showing our hot rolled, cold rolled, galvanized, Galvalume, and plate price history. This data is available here on our website with our interactive pricing tool. Note that plate prices are not yet available on our website, but we are in the process of adding that dataset. If you need help navigating the website or need to know your login information, contact us at info@SteelMarketUpdate.com or 800-432-3475.