US hot dipped galvanized (HDG) prices inched up this week as mills quietly made price announcements over the holidays.
HDG base prices increased immediately by $1.00 cwt. ($22/mt or $20/nt) to $39.00-$40.00 cwt. ($860-$882/mt or $780-$800/nt) ex-mill, following the announcement by Nucor Sheet Mill Group to increase base pricing for orders galvanized product to $40.50 cwt. ($893/mt or $810/nt). However, while ordering activity is quiet this week due to the New Year’s holiday, sources are not sure how much of the increase will stick. Once orders pick up again in January, it will become clear whether customers are willing to buy at higher prices.
In addition, pricing on HDG with the specifications 0.012 x 40.875 G30 increased by $1.50 cwt. ($33/mt or $30/nt) ex-mill and HDG with specifications 0.019 x 48 G90 was up $0.50 cwt. ($11/mt or $10/nt) – both settling at $48.50-$49.50 cwt. ($1,069-$1,091/mt or $970-$990/nt) ex-mill.
While HDG product pricing increased, US Galvalume base prices remained stable in the general range of $40.00-$41.00 cwt. ($882-$904/mt or $800-$820/nt) ex-mill. However, Galvalume prices followed HDG pricing with a modest increase on 0.019 x 41.5625 Gr80 by $1.00 cwt. ($22/mt or $20/nt) ex-mill to $47.50 to $48.50 ($1,047-$1,069/mt or $950-$970/nt).
| Cwt. | Metric Ton (mt) | Net ton (nt) | Change from last week | |
| US domestic HDG base price | $39-$40 | $860-$882 | $780-$800 | ↑$1.00 cwt. |
| 0.012”x40.875” G30 | ||||
| ex-Midwest mill | $48.50-$49.50 | $1,069-$1,091 | $970-$990 | ↑$1.50 cwt. |
| 0.019”x48” G90 | ||||
| ex-Midwest mill | $48.50-$49.50 | $1,069-$1,091 | $970-$990 | ↑$0.50 cwt. |
| US domestic Galvalume base price | ||||
| ex-Midwest mill | $40-$41 | $882-$904 | $800-$820 | neutral |
| 0.019x41.5625 Gr80/AZ55 | ||||
| ex-Midwest mill | $47.50-$48.50 | $1,047-$1,069 | $950-$970 | ↑$1.00 cwt. |