Activity, inquiries and pricing within the US domestic HSS tubing market are stable since our last report two weeks ago; prices are still trending in the range of $51.00-$53.00 cwt. ($1,124-$1,168/mt or $1,020-$1,060/nt), ex-mill, depending on tonnage.
Current prices are nearly on par with levels seen during the same reporting period last year, when SteelOrbis reported US HSS prices were trending at $52-$53 cwt. ($1,146-$1,168/mt or $1,040-$1,060/nt), ex-mill.
Some buyers, however, question whether HSS prices will continue to firm should the US HRC price increase announcements gain traction. Flats mills have announced two $2.00 cwt. ($44/mt or $40/nt) increases since mid-January. Current US HRC prices are trending between $34-$35 cwt. ($750-$772/mt or $680-$700/nt), ex-mill, which is the same range prices were trending in prior to the first announcement.