HARDI Wholesalers Report "Good" Demand, Worried About Galvanized Pricing

Steel Market Update participates in a monthly steel conference call hosted by HARDI (Heating, Air-conditioning, and Refrigeration Distributors International) for their members. The HARDI conference call is dedicated to a better understanding of the galvanized steel market. The participants are wholesalers, service centers and manufacturing companies who either buy or sell galvanized sheet products used in the HVAC industry. Demand and inventory dominated the discussion earlier today and, HARDI members were uncertain as to where steel prices are headed in the coming weeks.

Since the last call in March there have been no further increases in steel prices from the steel mills. Scrap fell as predicted but the drop was less than expected. Zinc prices are still elevated at $1.13 per pound but are less than its peak of approximately $1.34 per pound. Galvanized prices were reported to be lower than what was discussed one month ago. There was much discussion about pricing with the consensus of those who spoke during the conference call believing the market has “peaked” but there was no consensus as to how far prices could drop or, even if they would drop from today’s levels.