Research

Forecasts and market analysis based on price assessments from Fastmarkets MB and Fastmarkets AMM

Change font size:   

February 2015 | Galvanized Steel and Tinplate Market Tracker


Pricing floor still eludes US HDG market: American Market Highlights


While we expected that ferrous scrap prices would decline in February, which is somewhat unusual in the winter months, the magnitude of the decline is far greater than we had expected.

Hot-dipped galvanized (HDG) prices are continuing to plummet and are very likely to fall further in the coming weeks thanks to larger than expected declines in iron ore and ferrous scrap costs, high imported steel volumes and bloated service centre inventories. January, average base prices tumbled by $30-$40/short ton to $690-$700/ton, with some deals being cut at even lower numbers – as low as $660/ton. It is at this level, where they are today, $60/ton down month-on-month. And the bottom has not been reached yet. MBR believes that prices could fall an additional $20-$30/ton before all is said and done.

Price levels are similar across central and south America. MBR understands that Mexican HDG is selling at approximately $680/ton delivered, while Brazilian HDG is priced at about about $580/ton for export, having benefited from a weakening of the Brazilian Real against the...

ACCESS RESTRICTED

You must be a paid subscriber to view the full content.
Content over 60 days old can only be accessed by subscribers.
Call +44(0)20 7779 8000 with your credit card details or subscribe online.


SUBSCRIBE


Receive unlimited access to all current and archive content going back to 2008 including downloadable pricing data and forecasts. Plus download the latest issue as soon as it’s published.

Subscribe


Already subscribed?