Spot market prices for all US domestic flat rolled steel products have been slowly drifting downward since the latter part of 2018, sources note, adding that many within the industry largely suspect that domestic producers may push out a price increase announcement for all flat rolled steel products, including US domestic HDG coil before the end of the month.
Whether such a price increase would succeed in firming the spot market, as opposed to preventing further erosion, has yet to be known, especially in light of the pricing downtrend seen in domestic scrap market during this month’s buy cycle.
Others point out that current US HDG price points, while capturing the bulk of market transactions, are not entirely firm; some have reported being able to obtain deals as much as $1.00cwt. ($22/mt or $20/nt) below the average range.
Current average price transaction ranges are listed in the chart below.
| Cwt. | Metric Ton (mt) | Net ton (nt) | Change from last week | |
| US domestic HDG base price | $40-$42 | $882-$926 | $800-$840 | neutral |
| US domestic Galvalume base price | ||||
| ex-Midwest mill | $40-$42 | $882-$926 | $800-$840 | neutral |
| 0.019x41.5625 Gr80/AZ55 | ||||
| ex-Midwest mill | $50-$52 | $1,102-$1,146 | $1,000-$1,040 | neutral |