The most commonly heard spot price transaction range for
US domestic Grade A ERW BPE has continued to hold at $46-$48 cwt. ($1014-$1058/mt or $920-$960/nt), ex-mill; sources close to SteelOrbis have indicated that the price stabilization is linked to the recent price increase announcements from
US domestic flat rolled steel mills.
Pricing, however, could soon embark on an upswing.
Sources close to SteelOrbis have said they believe that
US domestic flats mills will be “announcing their second price increase at any moment.” It’s also believed that the Commerce Department will announce their findings in the Section 232 investigation “any day.”
Should the results of the investigation be in the affirmative, and should the DOC feel that
US steel imports are harming national safety, the still-pending second price increase announcement could be significant. Should
US flats mills succeed in raising prices, the trickle down to other steel market segments, including
US domestic Grade A ERW BPE standard pipe, is expected to significant.