Domestic HRC Competitive Advantage Over Import Prices Widens

Domestic hot-rolled coil (HRC) competitive price advantage over imported steel continues, gaining ground over the past week as foreign HRC prices accelerated, according to Steel Market Update’s latest foreign vs. domestic price analysis.

US HRC is approximately 9% cheaper than foreign prices this week, doubling the roughly 4.5% mark from last week after consideration of freight costs, trader margins, and any applicable tariffs. This is the 12th consecutive week US prices have been cheaper than foreign prices for all three regions we follow. HRC prices for all regions increased week over week (WoW), with the average spread growing from $38 per ton last week to $65 per ton this week.

David Schollaert

David Schollaert is a senior analyst for Steel Market Update. David joined SMU after more than a decade in the metals and mining industry in a myriad of different roles. Much of his early experience and expertise were within the coverage and analysis of steel-making raw materials and served previously as senior editor of the CRU Prices Service. Most recently, however, before his return to market analysis, David held roles as a metals buyer and an operations manager for raw material suppliers. Based in CRU’s Pittsburgh office, David can be reached at david@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-720-1008.