The
US domestic and import Grade A ERW BPE standard pipe markets have been quiet since our last report two weeks ago, as many say they’re focused on working through current inventory as we move toward the close of 2015. “No one in Texas wants to have to deal with the year-end-inventory tax,” sources say, “and right now, overall things are just slow.”
In terms of pricing, that has held mostly lateral, although service and distribution centers are starting to offer deals as a means of thinning inventory. Ex-Midwest mill spot pricing is also flexible, sources say, although the published transaction range continues to trend at approximately $42.50-$43.50 cwt. ($937-$959/mt or $850-$870/nt), ex-Midwest mill. Futures prices from Vietnamese and Turkish producers have also remained mostly sideways, at approximately $29.00-$30.00 cwt. ($639-$662/mt or $580-$600/nt), DDP loaded truck in
US Gulf coast ports, although trader sources feel that deals could be negotiated based on tons.