Pricing for US domestic hot rolled coil (HRC) continued to trend strong this week; the trend has been attributed to strength in downstream products, such as structural tubing and energy pipe.
Current pricing, which is still trending between $43-$45 cwt. ($948-$992/mt or $860-$900/nt), ex-mill, is expected to remain neutral through the end of the month. Sources close to SteelOrbis, however, believe that the still-pending decision from the Trump administration with regard to Section 232 quotas could serve to place upward pricing pressure on US domestic flat rolled steel products.