It’s been a couple weeks since US domestic flats mills announced a wide-sweeping price increase; although spot prices have yet to firm above last week’s average transaction ranges of $23.00-$24.00 cwt. ($507-$529/mt or $460-$480/nt) ex-Midwest mill, low-ball deals are reportedly off the table and smaller buyers say they’re paying more than they were at the beginning of the month.
Order activity is good and lead times are trending out slightly, according to sources, and it seems as if the previously seen downward pricing momentum has officially come to a halt.
Cwt. | Metric Ton (mt) | Net ton (nt) | Change from last week | |
US domestic | ||||
Ex-Midwest mill | ||||
HRC | $23-$24 | $507-$529 | $460-$480 | neutral |
Turkey* | ||||
HRC | $20-$22 | $441-$485 | $400-$440 | neutral |
Australia* | ||||
HRC | $20-$22 | $441-$485 | $400-$440 | neutral |
Brazil* | ||||
HRC | $20-$22 | $441-$485 | $400-$440 | neutral |
*DDP loaded truck US Gulf Coast ports |