US domestic plate prices steady while certain import offers get flexible

Although spot prices for other product segments within the US domestic flats market have been “wishy-washy” in the past several weeks, US domestic plate producers seem to be holding their own.  The most commonly reported spot price transaction range has remained steady in the past six weeks, still at $42.50-$43.50 ($937-$959/mt or $850-$870/nt) ex-Midwest mill, with many thinking the market will remain flat through the first quarter of 2015. “Things aren’t super fantastic but they certainly aren’t bad,” according to one Texas-based service center source, “and it seems as if the market is holding its course.”

In terms of imports, the last offer prices heard out of Turkey were trending in the approximate range of $38.00-$39.00 cwt. ($838-$869/mt or $760-$780/nt) DDP loaded truck US Gulf coast ports, while offer prices from Brazilian producers were trending about $1.00 cwt. ($22/mt or $20/nt) higher. Prior offers from Mexican plate mills, seen at approximately of $37.00-$38.00 cwt. ($815-$838/mt or $740-$760/nt) DDP loaded truck delivered to US border states, have also ticked down by about $1.00 cwt. ($22/mt or $20/nt) in the past month, with some trader saying that range can be “quite flexible” based on the size and scope of the order.