Most domestic HDG base prices have gone up approximately $1.00 cwt. ($22/mt or $20/nt) and now range from $37.00 cwt. to $38.00 cwt. ($816/mt to $838/mt or $740/nt to $760/nt) ex-Midwest mills, while offers of 0.019" x 48" G90 (0.48 mm x 1.219 m) have also increased approximately $1.00 cwt. ($22/mt or $20/nt), and are now found from around $48.00 cwt. to $49.00 cwt. ($1,058/mt to $1,080/mt or $960/nt to $980/nt) ex-Midwest mills.
Meanwhile, domestic offers of 0.012" x 40.875" G30 (0.30 mm x 1.04 m) have remained stable and continue to be priced around $49.00 cwt. to $51.00 cwt. ($1,080/mt to $1,124/mt or $980/nt to $1,020/nt) ex-Midwest mills. Domestic Galvalume base prices, however, have increased by approximately $1.00 cwt. ($22/mt or $20/nt) and are now being offered at approximately $37.00 cwt. ($816/mt or $740/nt) and higher while offers for 0.019" x 41.5625" Gr80/AZ55 have gone up approximately $1.00 cwt. ($22/mt or $20/nt), with offers now being seen around $48.00 cwt. to $49.00 cwt. ($1,058/mt to $1,080/mt or $960/nt to $980/nt) ex-Midwest mills.
Outlook for the galvanized market continues to resonate pessimistic as construction markets for metal buildings are expected to remain sluggish throughout 2010. The lone glimmer of hope, however, comes from the automotive sector in that increased production is forecasted to hold steady through the second quarter. On balance, weak construction and ramping HDG production is offset by better automotive orders and relatively low inventories, meaning demand and supply should be close to equilibrium. Furthermore, a plateau in pricing is expected to emerge toward the end of Q2, if prices haven't peaked already.
On the import side, Chinese offers for 0.019" G90 have gone up approximately $1.00 cwt. ($22/mt or $20/nt) since the close of the Chinese New Year with offers now being seen at $45.00/cwt. ($992/mt or $900/nt) and higher, duty-paid, FOB loaded truck in US Gulf ports. Yet even with the announced increases Chinese offers still remain the most competitively priced in the market.
Indian import indications for 0.019" G90 have gone down approximately $1.00 cwt. ($22/mt or $20/nt)with offers now priced at $46.00 cwt. ($1,014/mt or $920/nt) and higher, FOB loaded truck in US Gulf ports. Taiwanese offers of 0.019" G90 to the US are unchanged since last week, and continue to be seen at $47.00 cwt. ($1,036/mt or $940/nt) and higher, duty-paid, FOB loaded truck in US Gulf ports.
On the light gauges, 0.012" G30 from India have trended sideways and continue to range from around $46.00 cwt. to $48.00 cwt. ($1,014/mt to $1,058/mt or $920/nt to $960/nt) while most Taiwanese offers of the same product have gone up approximately $0.50 cwt. ($11/mt or $10/nt) and are now being seen at $47.50 cwt. ($1,047/mt or $950/nt) and higher, both duty-paid, FOB loaded truck in US Gulf ports. Taiwanese Galvalume has, however, continue to hold neutral at approximately $47.50 cwt. ($1,047/mt or $950/nt) and higher, duty-paid, FOB loaded truck in US Gulf ports, while Mexico continues to offer Galvalume to the US at a range of $48.00 cwt. to $49.00 cwt. ($1,058/mt to $1,080/mt or $960/nt to $980/nt) delivered to US border states.