SteelOrbis has learned that spot market prices for US domestic A53 Grade A standard pipe have softened since our last report a month ago. The price revision is hardly a surprise, sources note, adding that the spread between hot rolled and standard pipe “still has some narrowing to do.”
Current A53 Grade A standard prices are now being heard at approximately $86 cwt. ($1,896/mt or $1,720/nt), FOB mill, against $92 cwt. ($2,028/mt or $1,840/nt), FOB mill, on September 12. Despite this price revision, standard pipe prices are still approximately $50 cwt. ($1,102/mt or $1,000/nt) higher than US HRC prices, and as such, sources believe that additional downticks are forthcoming.