Steel Products Prices North America

SMU Price Ranges & Indices: Ranges Change/Prices Slip

Written by Brett Linton

October 22, 2019

We saw modest movement in hot rolled this week as our survey respondents, both manufacturing and service centers, were consistent in reporting a decrease in the upper end of our range while holding the line at the bottom. As we reviewed the data, the vast majority of buyers were reporting numbers in the $460-$480 range with smaller data points at the upper and lower ends of the range. Cold rolled remained unchanged. Galvanized data points were all over the board. We did collect data points below the $32.00/cwt low end but they were few and far between, so we eliminated them as outliers for this week. At the same time, it is important to note that we also had GI pricing being reported above last week’s numbers, and there was enough volume for us to include them in this week’s range. Galvalume was lower as we collected numbers from end users and service centers and had one of the domestic mills confirm a weakening in their range compared to one week ago. Our plate range is reduced, but this was due to having a lower number of data providers this week compared to one week ago, and we will watch plate closely over the coming days.

Here is how we see prices this week:

Hot Rolled Coil: SMU price range is $440-$500 per ton ($22.00-$25.00/cwt) with an average of $470 per ton ($23.50/cwt) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range remained unchanged compared to one week ago, while the upper end decreased $20 per ton. Our overall average is down $10 per ton compared to last week. Our price momentum on hot rolled steel is Lower, meaning we expect prices to decline over the next 30 days.

Hot Rolled Lead Times: 2-6 weeks

Cold Rolled Coil: SMU price range is $640-$700 per ton ($32.00-$35.00/cwt) with an average of $670 per ton ($33.50/cwt) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. Both the lower and upper ends of our range remained the same compared to last week. Our overall average is unchanged compared to one week ago. Our price momentum on cold rolled steel is now Lower, meaning we expect prices to decline over the next 30 days..

Cold Rolled Lead Times: 3-8 weeks

Galvanized Coil: SMU base price range is $32.00-$35.50/cwt ($640-$710 per ton) with an average of $33.75/cwt ($675 per ton) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range decreased $20 per ton compared to one week ago, while the upper end rose $30 per ton. Our overall average is up $5 per ton compared to last week. Our price momentum on galvanized steel is now Lower, meaning we expect prices to decline over the next 30 days.

Galvanized .060” G90 Benchmark: SMU price range is $709-$779 per net ton with an average of $744 per ton FOB mill, east of the Rockies.

Galvanized Lead Times: 5-8 weeks

Galvalume Coil: SMU base price range is $33.00-$36.00/cwt ($660-$720 per ton) with an average of $34.50/cwt ($690 per ton) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range declined $40 per ton compared to last week, while the upper end declined $10 per ton. Our overall average is down $25 per ton compared to one week ago. Our price momentum on cold rolled steel is now Lower, meaning we expect prices to decline over the next 30 days.

Galvalume .0142” AZ50, Grade 80 Benchmark: SMU price range is $951-$1,011 per net ton with an average of $981 per ton FOB mill, east of the Rockies.

Galvalume Lead Times: 5-8 weeks

Plate: SMU price range is $630-$670 per ton ($31.50-$33.50/cwt) with an average of $650 per ton ($32.50/cwt) FOB delivered to the customer’s facility. The lower end of our range remained the same compared to one week ago, while the upper end declined $50 per ton. Our overall average is down $25 per ton compared to last week. Our price momentum on plate steel is now Lower, meaning we expect prices to decline over the next 30 days.

Plate Lead Times: 4-6 weeks

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.

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.

Read more from Brett Linton

Latest in Steel Products Prices North America