Steel Products Prices North America
October 13, 2016
Light Gauge Galvanized Import Prices Should Begin Moving Higher
Written by John Packard
Trading company sources have been telling SMU to expect foreign flat rolled steel prices, especially light gauge galvanized prices, to rise in the coming weeks. Traders are advising SMU that slab and hot band substrate prices have been rising around the world thus increasing the cost for many conversion mills to produce cold rolled and galvanized steels.
The issues facing foreign steel mills in their home market is two-fold: first substrate prices for slabs and hot rolled coil are rising. Second, prices in their home markets have, in many cases, also been rising, limiting the spread between their domestic markets and export pricing. No one wants to be accused of “dumping” so if they can sell the steel for higher numbers in their home markets why take the chance on the U.S.?
