Steel Products Prices North America
August 2, 2016
SMU Price Ranges & Indices: Waiting and Watching
Written by John Packard
A couple of the steel mills SMU spoke with today reported their coated order books as being close to closed for September. They reported that there is not a need to make any price adjustments. At the same time, both the mills we spoke with, as well as steel buyers around the country, are anxiously waiting to see what the US Department of Commerce announces at the end of the week when they are scheduled to report their final determination on hot rolled dumping. The expectation is for no change from the preliminary results (see next article in tonight’s issue), but a surprise in one direction or the other could impact prices.
Flat rolled steel prices were basically stable for the week although we did see a very slight reduction in hot rolled caused by a reduction in the top line of the price spread. We have been stuck in a very tight trading range and that continues for yet another week.
