Pricing, order activity and inquiries within the US domestic and import API X-52 ERW line pipe markets have remained steady since our last report a week ago.
Offers from Mexican mills are still trending in the range of $62.50-$65 cwt. ($1,378-$1,433/mt or $1,250-$1,300/nt), FOB Texas, while spot market prices from domestic pipe producers are still being heard in the range of $64-$67 cwt. ($1,411-$1,477/mt or $1,280-$1,340/nt) ex-mill. At least one sources has indicated that mills have been increasingly willing to negotiate on price, adding that deals slightly below this range may be attainable to those who are willing to place larger-volume orders.
Domestic market pricing is expected to maintain a soft-sideways trend until after the holidays, which is consistent with year-end trends from years past.