US HDG prices stable but overall market still weak

US domestic coated flat steel spot prices have held steady in the last week, but lead times remain short and uncertainty is prevalent. Hot dipped galvanized (HDG) 0.012"x40.875" G30 and HDG 0.019"x48" G90 spot prices have remained stable for another week and are still between $43.00-$44.00 cwt. ($948-$970/mt or $860-$880/nt) ex-Midwest mill. Mills have tried to avoid making lower-priced deals as much as possible, but given scant order activity, are willing to negotiate for larger orders.

Lead times remain the main obstacle to firming up spots; so while demand levels are stable, with lead times on coated material as short as three to four weeks from certain mills, it's uncertain whether or not the $32.50-$33.50 cwt. ($716-$739/mt or $650-$670/nt) ex-Midwest mill base prices on HDG and Galvalume coil are the bottom just yet. Should domestic scrap prices stabilize or even increase in June, it could give mills the justification to refuse lower-priced orders. But if scrap prices decline yet again, customers could continue to push for price discounts.