Final Thoughts

I expect the other domestic mills to go along with price increases of their own – whether they choose to announce the move may depend on what they feel is in their best interest. I would anticipate that Nucor will come out with their own announcement. US Steel and ArcelorMittal are in the process of negotiating labor contracts and they may be more reserved with any kind of public display announcing higher prices when they are trying to get concessions out of their customers. As we write this article we are aware of three mills having announced increases: NLMK USA, Northstar Bluescope and AK Steel.

Nothing is a for sure when these kinds of announcements are made. If you have a couple of mills who do not support the move, for whatever reason, the whole thing can come crashing down. At this moment, my opinion is that the mills will collect somewhere around $30-$40 per ton above the business levels being used this past week.