SteelOrbis has confirmed that US domestic plate prices and lead times have improved since our last report a week ago. Current lead times, sources note, are “at least” 9 weeks out, and today’s average spot market price transaction range has firmed as a result.
This week’s average transaction range is trending at $41.50-$42.50 cwt. ($915-$937/mt or $830-$850/nt) FOB mill, against $39.00-$39.50 cwt. ($860-$871/mt or $780-$790/nt) FOB mill one week ago. Current prices are up by at least $14.50 cwt. ($320/mt or$290/nt) from late July, when prices bottomed at $27 cwt. ($595/mt or $540/nt) FOB mill.
