The most commonly heard spot price transaction range for US domestic Grade A ERW BPE standard pipe has firmed by approximately $0.50 cwt. ($11/mt or $10/nt) on the bottom end since our last report two weeks ago, which brings the current average range to $42.50-$44.00 cwt. ($937-$970/mt or $850-$880/nt), ex-Midwest mill.
This firming comes on the heels of continued upticks for US domestic hot rolled coil (HRC); US domestic flat rolled steel mills have announced four price increases since late-October. Some believe that a fifth flat rolled steel price increase is imminent; should US HRC prices continue to firm, it’s suspected pricing for downstream products, including US domestic Grade A ERW BPE standard pipe, will continue to firm as well.