Steel Mills
Hot Rolled vs. Prime Scrap Price Spread Jumps in Feb
February 20, 2023
The spread between hot-rolled coil (HRC) and prime scrap prices has widened in February, according to Steel Market Update data.
Prices for both products increased in February month over month.
Our hot-rolled coil price average rose $15 per ton week over week to $825 per ton per net ton ($41.25 per cwt) as of Feb. 14.
February scrap prices settled last week, with busheling prices increasing $20 per gross ton to $460 per ton from January. Figure 1 shows price histories for each product.
After converting scrap prices to dollars per net ton for an equal comparison, the differential between HRC and busheling scrap prices is $414 per net ton through Feb. 14, up $67 from $347 last month (Figure 2). This is the highest reading since the middle of October.
PSA: Did you know our Interactive Pricing Tool has the capability to show steel and scrap prices in dollars per net ton, dollars per metric ton, and dollars per gross ton?
Figure 3 explores this relationship in a different way – we have graphed the spread between HRC and busheling scrap prices as a percentage premium over scrap prices. HRC prices now carry a 79% premium over prime scrap, increasing from 68% a month earlier.
This comparison was inspired by reader suggestions. If you would like to chime in with topics you want us to explore, reach out to our team at news@steelmarketupdate.com.
By Ethan Bernard, ethan@steelmarketupdate.com
Latest in Steel Mills
Primetals to replace two EAFs at US mill
Primetals Technologies will be replacing two electric-arc furnaces at a steel mill in the US with one more energy-efficient furnace.
Nippon’s Mori meets with Pa. Gov. Shapiro: Report
Nori, a top Nippon Steel official, met on Tuesday with Pennsylvania's governor, to discuss its proposed acquisition of U.S. Steel.
Nippon won’t import slabs to US if U.S. Steel deal goes through
Nippon Steel has affirmed that if its $14.9-billion bid for U.S. Steel proves successful, the Japanese steelmaker will not import overseas-produced slabs to the US.
AISI: Raw steel production falls to 5-week low
Domestic raw steel mill production slipped to a five-week low last week, according to the latest figures released by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Weekly production is now at the third-lowest level recorded this year.
Nucor maintains HR price at $750/ton
Nucor’s weekly consumer spot price (CSP) for hot-rolled (HR) coil was unchanged week on week (w/w) at $750 per short ton (st) on Monday, Nov. 18.