Spot pricing for US domestic A-53 electric resistance welded (ERW) black plain end (BPE) Grade A standard pipe is unchanged in the past two weeks, as order activity remains mediocre. Orders and inquiries previously improved slightly in the beginning of March, but have since retreated to steady but unexciting levels. Therefore, spot prices have continued to remain flexible. Although the most commonly reported transaction range is still between $47.00-$48.00 cwt. ($1,036-$1,058/mt or $940-$960/nt) ex-Midwest mill, deals between $1.00-$2.00 cwt. ($22-$44/mt or $20-$40/nt) below those levels are available for those interested in booking larger orders.
Meanwhile, import prices for A-53 ERW BPE Grade A standard pipe have also held steady in the past two weeks. The average import sales price range in the US from Korea has remained at $41.00-$42.00 cwt. ($901-$926/mt or $820-$840/nt), while the average sales price range in the US from the Philippines is still between $42.25-$42.75 cwt. ($931-$942/mt or $845-$855/nt), both DDP loaded truck US Gulf Coast ports. Trader sources have said they are only placing orders as-needed, and that interest in booking speculative tons is weak.