Although the most commonly heard spot market price transaction range for US domestic HDG remains unchanged week-over-week, sources close to SteelOrbis have said that prices are firming within the current range.
These findings are consistent with what was reported by SteelOrbis during our last report a weekago. Sources have said there has been some upticks in ex-mill activity, as buyers had been drawing down inventories. Although a “mad rush” for orders has not materialized, the uptick has helped prevent prices from slipping further.
A second factor which has hindered mills’ attempt to gain acceptance of their most recent price increase relates to the mostly sideways price trend for scrap during the February buy cycle.
Others, however, note that happenings within the global market place, such as the surge in iron ore prices, could eventually push prices higher in the US, although this type of price momentum is not expected to materialize immediately.
Current US HDG spot market prices are listed in the chart below.
| Ex-Mill | Cwt. | Metric Ton (mt) | Net ton (nt) | Change from last week |
| US domestic HDG base price | $39-$41 | $860-$904 | $780-$820 | neutral |
| US domestic Galvalume base price | $39-$41 | $860-$904 | $780-$820 | neutral |
| 0.019x41.5625 Gr80/AZ55 | $49-$51 | $1,080-$1,124 | $980-$1,020 | neutral |