As with previous weeks, import hot dipped galvanized (HDG) activity is consistently mediocre. Trader sources tell SteelOrbis that "we're working diligently at quoting quite a bit," but few of those quotes are translating into meaningful orders. Additionally, with substantial levels of previously-ordered futures arriving in February, March and April, Chinese, Indian and Taiwanese mills are trying to avoid attracting too much attention and continue to keep their offer prices to the US neutral, although a decent order could garner minor--$0.50 cwt. ($11/mt or $10/nt)--discounts.
Mexico, meanwhile, has also kept its official HDG and Galvalume prices in the US neutral, but recent orders have been on the lower end of price ranges, particularly for Galvalume; Mexico's current Galvalume 0.019x41.5625 Gr80/AZ55 prices can be found between $47.50-$48.50 cwt. ($1,080-$1,102/mt or $980-$1,000/nt) DDP loaded truck delivered into Houston. Mexico may bring down its offer prices sooner rather than later, especially if recent cracks in the US domestic market trend spread.
| Import HDG offers to the US | Cwt. | Metric ton (mt) | Net ton (nt) | Change from last week |
| 0.012"x40.875" G30 | ||||
| India* | $46-$47 | $1,014-$1,036 | $920-$940 | neutral |
| China* | $45-$46 | $992-$1,014 | $900-$920 | neutral |
| Mexico** | $45-$46 | $992-$1,014 | $900-$920 | neutral |
| 0.019" x 48" G90 | ||||
| China* | $47-$48 | $1,036-$1,058 | $940-$960 | neutral |
| India* | $47-$48 | $1,036-$1,058 | $940-$960 | neutral |
| Taiwan* | $48-$49 | $1,058-$1,080 | $960-$980 | neutral |
| Import Galvalume offers to the US | ||||
| 0.019x41.5625 Gr80/AZ55 | ||||
| Taiwan* | $49-$50 | $1,080-$1,102 | $980-$1,000 | neutral |
| Mexico** | $47.50-$48.50 | $1,080-$1,102 | $980-$1,000 | neutral |
| China* | $49-$50 | $1,080-$1,102 | $980-$1,000 | neutral |
**DDP loaded truck delivered into Houston