Prices, order activity and inquiries within the US domestic hollow structural sections (HSS) market have mostly held on par with levels seen two weeks ago, with spot prices having sustained in the approximate range of $47.00-$48.00 cwt. ($1,036-$1,058/mt or $940-$960/nt) ex-Midwest mill. But sources close to SteelOrbis still say that deals as much as $0.50-$1.00 cwt. ($11-$22/mt or $10-$20/nt) below the range continue to be available to buyers who want to book the largest orders. “The market is steady, but a bit soft,” said one Midwest buyer. “There’s plenty of supply and activity is slow, as is par for the course for this time of year.”
In terms of imports, futures prices from Turkey and Korea have also remained steady, and are still reported as being in the approximate range of $37.50-$38.50 cwt. ($827-$849/mt or $750-$770/nt) DDP loaded truck US Gulf coast ports (although some have reported seeing Turkish offers as much as $2.50 cwt. ($55/mt or $50/nt) higher). But since most of these offers are quoted with an end-of-year arrival time, buyers say they’re waiting until lead times span out past the first of the year so they don’t get smacked with an excessive end-of-year inventory tax.