Domestic and Imported HRC Prices Reach Parity

Domestic and imported hot-rolled coil (HRC) prices are nearly parallel as US tags continue to erode at a faster clip than offshore prices, according to SMU’s latest foreign vs. domestic price analysis.

The premium domestic HRC had held over imported material since mid-February has now all but vanished. Tags stateside have been steadily declining since peaking mid-April, cutting the spread between US and imported product – once having ballooned to roughly 23% on average – to roughly just 1%.

David Schollaert

David Schollaert is deputy editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. David joined SMU after more than a decade in the metals and mining industry in a myriad of different roles. Much of his early experience and expertise were within the coverage and analysis of steel-making raw materials and served previously as senior editor of the CRU Prices Service. Most recently, however, before his return to market analysis, David held roles as a metals buyer and an operations manager for raw material suppliers. He can be contacted at david@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-720-1008.