Two weeks ago, SteelOrbis reported that the “official range” for US domestic Grade A ERW BPE standard pipe was trending at $46-$48 cwt. ($1014-$1058/mt or $920-$960/nt), ex-mill, but firming US HRC prices have helped shore up standard pipe prices as well.
Today, the most commonly heard spot market price transaction range has increased by $1.00 cwt. ($22/mt or $20/nt) to $47-$49 cwt. ($1036-$1080/mt or $940-$980/nt), ex-mill.
“This isn’t demand-based,” a source said. “It all ties back to mills’ input costs.”
It’s further speculated that US HRC prices will continue to firm in the early part of 2018, which could help push standard pipe prices up even more.