Despite a recently announced $2.50 cwt. ($55/mt or $50/nt) increase on A-53 electric resistance welded (ERW) black plain end (BPE) Grade B standard pipe, the average transaction range for A-53 electric resistance welded (ERW) black plain end (BPE) Grade A standard pipe is unchanged, as no official increases have been announced. At the same time, industry insiders believe spot prices could soon begin to firm due to upticks in pricing for
US domestic hot rolled coil (HRC). For now, the most commonly reported spot price range for A-53 ERW BPE Grade A standard pipe is $45.00-$46.00 cwt. ($992-$1,014/mt or $900-$920/nt) ex-Midwest mill, with lower-priced deals still available for buyers looking to book larger tonnages.
Meanwhile, import prices for A-53 ERW BPE Grade A standard pipe from
Korea and the
Philippines have also held steady in the past two weeks. This marks a six week trend in price stability after a $2.00 cwt. ($44/mt or $40/nt) decline that took place during the first week of June. The most commonly reported
US sales price range for Korean pipe has remained at $39.50-$40.50 cwt. ($871-$893/mt or $790-$810/nt), whereas the average
US sales price range for standard pipe from the
Philippines has held at $40.25-$41.25 ($887-$909/mt or $805-$825/nt), both DDP loaded truck in
US Gulf Coast ports. Interest in booking futures remains weak, according to traders, who say they are only booking orders as-needed.