Yesterday, the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported that for week ending July 17, the US steel capacity utilization rate was recorded at an astonishing 84.1%, which is the highest cap rate recorded in well over a decade. However, that hasn’t stopped steel buyers from lamenting over three key things: long lead times, still-scarce spot market tons, and price increases that “just won’t quit.”
Not surprisingly, US domestic HDG and Galvalume coil prices have continued to climb, meaning that the nearly 11-month long uptrend has yet to lose steam.
As in previous weeks, sources note that prices are “all over the map,” however; the most commonly heard ranges are listed in the chart below.
| Product | $/cwt | $/mt | $/nt | late June | Delivery |
| US domestic HDG base price | $99-$101 | $2,183-$2,227 | $1,980-$2,020 | $98-$100 | ex-mill |
| 0.012” G30 HDG coil | $110+ | $2,425 | $2,200 | $109+ | ex-mill |
| US domestic Galvalume base price | $99-$101 | $2,183-$2,227 | $1,980-$2,020 | $98-$100 | ex-mill |
| 0.019x41.5625 Gr80/AZ55 | $110+ | $2,425 | $2,200 | $109+ | ex-mill |