Steel Products Prices North America
May 12, 2015
SMU Price Ranges & Indices: Firming Prices at the Lower End of the Range
Written by John Packard
The market has continued to firm as steel buyers return to the market and lead times slowly begin to extend. We are also seeing a return to the more traditional spreads between hot rolled base prices and those of cold rolled and coated. The normal spread has been $100 to $120 per ton depending on the strength of the market.
Steel buyers and executives reported to SMU that the mills are being disciplined regarding holding the line on higher prices. However, the higher prices don’t always equal the recommended base price of $460 per ton ($23.00/cwt). Even so, our average on hot rolled did come in at $460 per ton this week, up $5 per ton compared to the prior week.
