Spot market prices for US domestic hollow structural sections (HSS) tubing may be trending at
$53.50-$55.50 ($1179-$1224/mt or $1070-$1100/nt), ex-mill, but some sources close to SteelOrbis think that tube mills may still try to push for another price increase.
Those who believe an increase is pending feel that tube producers may attempt to tie higher price points to upticks in US HRC costs; current HRC pricing is trending between $43-$45 cwt. ($948-$992/mt or $860-$900/nt), which is a marked increase from early January, when US HRC prices were trending at $31-$33 cwt. ($683-$728/mt or $620-$660/nt), ex-Midwest mill.
Sources throughout the US say that much like buyers and sellers of US HSS tubing, much like buyers and sellers of other steel products in the US, are being cautious with their inventory levels, due to concerns that the market prices are at or near their peak.