Prices
April 25, 2023
Written by Michael Cowden
Sheet prices fell across the board this week on the heels of shorter lead times, higher-than-anticipated inventory levels, and potential import competition.
Some market participants predicted that further declines would be “managed” by a more consolidated flat-rolled steel industry. Others said they feared that prices could come down quickly given how sharply they rose in the first quarter.
Nucor said on Monday, Sept. 21, that its consumer spot price (CSP) for hot-rolled (HR) coil will be $1,210 per short ton (st) this week, a $10/st increase from a week earlier.
The domestic plate market is showing few signs of relief for steel buyers. Lead times are stretching well beyond seasonal norms, spot availability has all but evaporated, and mills are drawing hard lines on contract volumes heading into 2027 negotiations. And the supply squeeze will likely intensify in a market that some industry sources say is structurally undersupplied because of stringent US trade and tariff policies. Imports have been arriving in larger volumes, and the expectation is they will continue to tick higher into 2027. The big question is whether those foreign tons will arrive in volumes sufficient to provide the relief steel consumers want.
SSAB Americas announced immediate changes to pricing extras on select products, according to a letter sent to customers Friday morning.
Nucor Plate Group said it will be increasing its fuel surcharge to $20 per short ton for next month, effective on all shipments beginning Oct. 1.
Nucor said its consumer spot price for hot-rolled coil will be $1,200 per short ton (st) the week of Monday, Sept. 14. That's a $10/st increase from a week earlier.