Spot market prices for US domestic, 96” wide A36 carbon steel discrete plate have continued to tick downward since our last report. In early June prices were seen in the approximate range of $32.00-$33.00 cwt. ($706-$728/mt or $640-$660/nt) ex-Midwest mill; those prices softened by another $1.00 cwt. ($22/mt or $20/nt) on the low end by late July. Today, sources close to SteelOrbis report that prices are down again. Ex-Midwest mill prices are increasingly flexible, with current average pricing available at approximately $29.50-$31.50 cwt. ($650-$672/mt or $590-$619/nt). Futures prices from Turkey are being offered in the approximate range of $23.00-$24.00 cwt. ($507-$529/mt or $460-$480/nt), DDP loaded truck in US Gulf coast ports.
Many believe that a trade case petition against certain offshore sources of US import plate will be filed in the near future and an announcement could be made by the end of the month.