US DOC sets hot rolled prices in Russian suspension agreement

The US Department of Commerce announced Friday the Q4 2011 reference prices for hot-rolled steel flat products pursuant to the suspension agreement with Russia. 
 
The reference prices for the fourth quarter of 2011 (i.e., October 1--December 31, 2011) are as follows (with the reference prices from the third quarter of 2011 in parentheses for comparison):
 
Group 1: Commercial and Structural Quality Steel--A36; A1011-CS; A1011-SS-Grades 30, 33, 36, 40; A1018-SS-Grades 30, 33, 36, 40; and API 5L Grades A and B
 
Reference price: $463.12 per metric ton ($373.78 per metric ton)
 
Group 2: HSLA & HSLA-F Quality Steel Grades--A752; A1011-HSLAS; A1018-HSLAS; A1011-HSLAS-F; A1018-HSLAS-F; API 5L Grades X42, X46, X52, X56, X60; and API 5CT Grades J55 and K55
 
Reference price: $508.47 per metric ton ($410.38 per metric ton)
 
Group 3: High Grade Coils and Sheets for Pipes and Casings--API 5L Grades X65, X70, X80 
Reference price: $591.19 per metric ton ($477.14 per metric ton)