The most commonly heard spot market price for US domestic hollow structural sections (HSS) tubing continues to trend in the approximate range of $48.50-$50.00 cwt. ($1069-$1102/mt or $970-$1000/nt), ex-mill, but all eyes continue to be on US domestic hot rolled coil prices.
US domestic flats mills announced last week they would be raising prices on all flat rolled steel products, including HRC, by $1.50 cwt. ($33/mt or $30/nt). However, as of today, US HRC prices have remained stable.
Sources close to SteelOrbis continue to report that US tubing mills are keeping close watch on HRC prices, adding that if the HRC increases begin to gain acceptance, tube mills are expected to announce an increase of their own.
Year-over-year pricing, however, is positive. In late-August 2016, SteelOrbis reported that US HSS prices were trending at $42-$44 cwt. ($926-$970/mt or $840-$880/nt), ex-Midwest mill.