Spot market prices for US domestic Grade A ERW BPE standard pipe continue to hold at $55-$57 cwt. ($1213-$1257/mt or $1100-$1140/nt), ex-mill, and while the summer months are typically defined by price softness due to the annual slowdown in order activity, SteelOrbis sources across product lines believe that spot market pricing for US domestic standard pipe will not be vulnerable to correction.
That belief is tied to two factors, including the very real possibility of widespread Section 232 import quotas along with strength in US HRC pricing, which has remained stable for over a month. It’s further rumored that while flat rolled steel mills may not try to push for another price increase announcement in the near future, mills may still try to push HRC prices up quietly.