With so much uncertainty plaguing the US domestic flats market, US hollow structural section (HSS) mills are attempting to pursue a stable price trend. Despite two announced price increases, domestic flats prices are largely stagnant, with only minor pockets of firming. And as major hot rolled coil (HRC) buyers, sources tell SteelOrbis that HSS mills have not yet been forced to pay any increase, so HSS mills have not followed the flats market's attempted uptrend. While there have been some rumblings that tubing mills could try for an increase soon, "they'd be crazy to do it now," commented one southeast distributor, considering that HSS mills had to rescind their last increase. One bright spot, however, is that the number of HSS-intensive projects have increased as of late, especially in the Midwest and Southeast. But for now, US HSS spot prices are steady from two weeks ago in the range of $49.00-$50.00 cwt. ($1,080-$1,102/mt or $980-$1,000/nt) ex-Midwest mill, although the widespread deals throughout March for up to $1.00 cwt. ($22/mt or $20/nt) lower have become fewer so far in April.
As for imports, the improving demand environment has given some US buyers the confidence to look offshore for HSS, especially given the spread between US spot prices and import offer prices. Turkish sales prices in the US are down $0.50 cwt. ($11/mt or $10/nt) in the last two weeks to $43.00-$44.00 cwt. ($948-$970/mt or $860-$880/nt) DDP loaded truck in US Gulf ports. Meanwhile, Mexican mills continue to offer smaller HSS sizes to the US at just under $46.00 cwt. ($1,014/mt or $920/nt) DDP loaded truck delivered into Houston.