US import HDG market simmers down after last weeks’ shake-up

Last week, the US import hot dipped galvanized (HDG) market experienced some minor shake-ups, as prices from Indian mills experienced an uptick due to increased zinc costs. Brazilian mills also stepped into the US market and are making an aggressive play to gain some foothold when it comes to US import Galvalume bookings. And as with last week, offers from China are still certainly in the mix, but few traders are giving them any attention. At this point, some feel that since a trade case did not drop at the beginning of September, that buyers may have another 30 days before they need to worry about a filing, but that hasn’t been enough to spur a flurry of orders from Chinese mills. Those who were interested in taking on positions did so earlier this summer, according to one Texas-based trader source, so for now, it’s another week of watch-and-wait to see when and if the US Department of Commerce will take action.