After weeks of declines, import hot dipped galvanized (HDG) and Galvalume coil prices in the US are holding steady. Offshore mills had been swiftly dropping prices as a result of lackluster activity in their own domestic markets, and as an attempt to boost US buying activity. At least for now, it appears the tactic has been effective and with the exception of a quiet market last week due to the Thanksgiving holiday in the US, traders tell SteelOrbis they have booked quite a few orders in the past couple weeks, due for arrival in early spring.
In particular, Mexican mills are enjoying a significant increase in bookings from the US for HDG 0.012"x40.875" G30. Mexican prices of $45.00-$47.00 cwt. ($992-$1,036/mt or $900-$940/nt) DDP loaded truck delivered into Houston, remain unchanged from last week and are now about $5.00 cwt. ($110/mt or $100/nt) below US domestic spot prices. However, if US domestic coated flat steel prices continue to rise as anticipated, Mexican mills will likely raise their offer prices to the US as well in early December, mirroring movements in the US market.
| Import HDG offers to the US | Cwt. | Metric ton (mt) | Net ton (nt) | Change from last week |
| 0.012"x40.875" G30 | ||||
| India* | $47-$48 | $1,036-$1,058 | $940-$960 | neutral |
| China* | $46-$47 | $1,025-$1,047 | $930-$950 | neutral |
| Mexico** | $45-$47 | $992-$1,036 | $900-$940 | neutral |
| 0.019" x 48" G90 | ||||
| China* | $47-$48 | $1,036-$1,058 | $940-$960 | neutral |
| India* | $48-$49 | $1,058-$1,080 | $960-$980 | neutral |
| Taiwan* | $49-$50 | $1,080-$1,102 | $980-$1,000 | neutral |
| Import Galvalume offers to the US | ||||
| 0.019x41.5625 Gr80/AZ55 | ||||
| Taiwan* | $47.50-$48.50 | $1,047-$1,069 | $1,047-$1,069 | neutral |
| Mexico** | $47-$49 | $1,036-$1,080 | $940-$980 | neutral |
| China* | $47.50-$48.50 | $1,047-$1,069 | $1,047-$1,069 | neutral |
**DDP loaded truck delivered into Houston