US domestic long steel prices were mixed this week with rebar pricing continuing higher while wire rod values were reported flat from the previous week, market insiders told SteelOrbis. Insiders said rising scrap prices for January delivery and dwindling levels of imports continue to support finished steel pricing.
And, as domestic prices continue higher, insiders said they expect an increase in the number of imports for the first quarter of 2026.
Market reports have described flat to potentially lower prices on the import side. "More imports could cool (domestic prices increase) off a bit, though for now, supplies remain very tight,” said a long steel insider.
Domestic mills have been pressed to increase their pricing due to recent Nucor announcements.
On January 11, 2026, the Nucor Bar Group has increased prices by $1.50/cwt ($30/nt or $33/mt) on all rebar products. This is following the most recent Nucor statement on January 6, 2026, from its Nucor Bar Group announcing a price increase on most merchant and structural products by $2.50/cwt ($50/nt or $55/mt).
In the weekly rebar spot markets, domestic supply on an FOB mill basis was assessed with most transactions noted at $48.00-49.00/cwt, ($960-980/nt or $1,058-1,080/mt), on average $48.50/cwt, ($970/nt or $1,069/mt), up $1.50/cwt ($30/nt or $33/mt) from last week.
On the domestic long steel demand side, weekly discussions have continued about the US construction industry and its current demand drivers. “I have mixed feelings on the construction market. Data center and highway construction are busy, but the rest is a bit slow. Texas seems to be good, whereas states like California are slow,” said a SteelOrbisinsider.
In the domestic wire rod market, domestic supply on an FOB mill basis was assessed with most transactions reported this week at $48.00-49.00/cwt ($960-980/nt or $1,058-1,080/mt), or an average of $48.50/cwt ($970/nt or $1,069/mt), unchanged from a week ago. The domestic wire rod demand has been described as “slow but steady” by another long steel insider.