Steel Products Prices North America

SMU Price Ranges & Indices: HRC Falling Back to Earth

Written by Brett Linton

January 11, 2022

As widely expected, steel prices continued to slide this week with hot rolled dipping below $1,500 per ton for the first time since April 2021. The big difference being that last April the HR price was on an upward trajectory that would eventually take it to a high of $1,955 per in early September. Since then the price has been heading rapidly back to earth, now down by $475 per ton, or about 24%, from its peak. Where it will land, no one knows. Steel Market Update’s check of the market this week puts the average HR price at $1,480 per ton, down $55 from last week. Cold rolled and galvanized prices experienced similar declines of $30-45 per ton. SMU’s price momentum indicators are pointing Lower for all flat rolled products, which are expected to see further declines in the next 30 days, and possibly beyond. Plate prices seem to be the exception, registering a modest increase this week.

Hot Rolled Coil: SMU price range is $1,400-$1,560 per net ton ($70.00-$78.00/cwt) with an average of $1,480 per ton ($74.00/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 $110 per ton. Our overall average is down $55 per ton from last week. Our price momentum on hot rolled steel is at Lower, meaning we expect prices to decrease over the next 30 days.

Hot Rolled Lead Times: 3-8 weeks

Cold Rolled Coil: SMU price range is $1,800-$1,960 per net ton ($90.00-$98.00/cwt) with an average of $1,880 per ton ($94.00/cwt) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range remained unchanged compared to last week, while the upper end decreased $60 per ton. Our overall average is down $30 per ton from one week ago. Our price momentum on cold rolled steel is at Lower, meaning we expect prices to decrease over the next 30 days.

Cold Rolled Lead Times: 4-10 weeks

Galvanized Coil: SMU price range is $1,800-$1,960 per net ton ($90.00-$98.00/cwt) with an average of $1,880 per ton ($94.00/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 $90 per ton. Our overall average is down $45 per ton from last week. Our price momentum on galvanized steel is at Lower, meaning we expect prices to decrease over the next 30 days.

Galvanized .060” G90 Benchmark: SMU price range is $1,887-$2,047 per ton with an average of $1,967 per ton FOB mill, east of the Rockies. 

Galvanized Lead Times: 4-11 weeks

Galvalume Coil: SMU price range is $1,800-$2,000 per net ton ($90.00-$100.00/cwt) with an average of $1,900 per ton ($95.00/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 from one week ago. Our price momentum on Galvalume steel is at Lower, meaning we expect prices to decrease over the next 30 days.

Galvalume .0142” AZ50, Grade 80 Benchmark: SMU price range is $2,091-$2,291 per ton with an average of $2,191 per ton FOB mill, east of the Rockies.

Galvalume Lead Times: 5-10 weeks

Plate: SMU price range is $1,810-$1,840 per net ton ($90.50-$92.00/cwt) with an average of $1,825 per ton ($91.25/cwt) FOB mill. The lower end of our range increased $60 per ton compared to one week ago, while the upper end increased $20. Our overall average is up $40 per ton from last week. Our price momentum on plate steel remains at Neutral until the market establishes a clear direction.

Plate Lead Times: 4-8 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. If you need help navigating the website or need to know your login information, contact us at info@SteelMarketUpdate.com.

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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