For the most part, spot prices within the US domestic hot dipped galvanized (HDG) coil have trended sideways since our last report a week ago, with orders, activity and inquiry levels all at status quo; the most commonly reported spot price transaction range for US domestic HDG remains in the approximate range of $30-$32 cwt. ($661-$705/mt or $600-$640/nt), ex-Midwest mill.
This is not, however, to say the market has officially reached bottom. US domestic scrap prices are forecast at a downtrend for March buys, and flats prices will likely settle down as well. SteelOrbis sources continue to report that the ongoing price softening has less to do with demand and more to do with mills’ falling input costs; galvanized steel continues to be the strongest segment within the US flat rolled steel market.
| Cwt. | Metric Ton (mt) | Net ton (nt) | Change from last week | |
| US domestic HDG base price | $30-$32 | $661-$705 | $600-$640 | neutral |
| 0.012”x40.875” G30 | ||||
| ex-Midwest mill | $40-$42 | $882-$926 | $800-$840 | neutral with rumored deals |
| 0.019”x48” G90 | ||||
| ex-Midwest mill | $40-$42 | $882-$926 | $800-$840 | neutral with rumored deals |
| US domestic Galvalume base price | ||||
| ex-Midwest mill | $31-$33 | $683-$728 | $620-$660 | down $1.00 cwt. |
| 0.019x41.5625 Gr80/AZ55 | ||||
| ex-Midwest mill | $40-$42 | $882-$926 | $800-$840 | neutral with rumored deals |