The US domestic and import API X-42 ERW line pipe markets have rocked relatively steady since our last report a week ago, with buyers of both domestic and import line pipe still exercising caution due to the ever-present trade case rumblings. “Everyone seems to be treading cautiously in terms of how much they’re booing and where they’re booking it from,” according to one Midwestern-based source, who said that for the most part, everyone is “just filling inventory gaps.”
Futures prices from Indian and Vietnamese mills have continued along their steady course, still at $38.50-$39.50 cwt. ($849-$871/mt or $770-$790/nt) DDP loaded truck US Gulf coast ports, while futures offers from Taiwanese and Korean producers have held at approximately $40.00-$41.00 cwt. ($882-$904/mt or $800-$820/nt) DDP loaded truck US Gulf coast ports. In terms of US domestic offers, they too have remained steady, at approximately $51.00-$52.00 cwt. ($1,124-$1,146/mt or $1,020-$1,040/nt) ex-Midwest mill, although sources close to SteelOrbis say that anyone who comes in waving a hefty order can easily negotiate a better price.