US domestic HDG prices surge but buyers remain cautious

With demand levels steady, mills have been able push US domestic coated flat steel prices significantly higher, and hot dipped galvanized (HDG) and Galvalume spot prices have climbed about $2.00 cwt. ($44/mt or $40/nt) since last week. Domestic mill lead times have also extended with a few integrated mills already taking orders for February delivery. The longer lead times, in addition to the support November/December flats mill price increases received from a $40-50/lt boost in busheling scrap prices for December, are allowing mills to collect on their announced increases.

Industry insiders tell SteelOrbis that the extended lead times, and another expected jump in scrap prices in January, may give mills the confidence to issue another price increase early next year. But while mills are seemingly assured in their ability to keep raising prices, at least for the time being, many buyers are more reserved, evidenced by the fact that most are not building inventories and aren't even considering imports despite offer prices from some sources as much as $5.00-$6.00 cwt. ($110-$132/mt or $100-$120/nt) below US domestic spot prices.

	Cwt.	Metric Ton (mt)	Net ton (nt)	Change from last week
US domestic HDG base price	$38.00-$40.00	$838-$882	$760-$800	↑$2.00 cwt.
0.012"x40.875" G30
ex-Midwest mill	$52.00-$53.00	$1,146-$1,168	$1,040-$1,060	↑$2.00 cwt.
0.019"x48" G90
ex-Midwest mill	$52.00-$53.00	$1,146-$1,168	$1,040-$1,060	↑$2.00 cwt.
US domestic Galvalume base price
ex-Midwest mill	$38.00-$40.00	$838-$882	$760-$800	↑$2.00 cwt.
0.019x41.5625 Gr80/AZ55
ex-Midwest mill	$51.00-$52.00	$1,124-$1,146	$1,020-$1,040	↑$1.00 cwt.