Gerdau, Steel Dynamics and Nucor raised US merchant bar quality (MBQ) steel list prices by $30-80/short ton (st) effective 7 August.
The mills increased MBQ angles, rounds and flats by $30/st, and some channel grades by $80/st.
List prices for MBQ channel 8×11.5in rose by $80/st to $1,460/st ex-works, while MBQ angles 2×2×0.25in and 3×3×0.25in increased by $30/st to $1,296/st and $1,305/st ex-works, respectively.
MBQ flat 4×0.5in and MBQ round 1in each rose by $30/st to $1,300/st and $1,324/st ex-works, respectively.
The mills have raised MBQ channel prices seven times this year, and other MBQ angles, flats and rounds five times.
Steelmakers also lifted list prices for structural beams by $50/st in early August, with a wide-flange 8×8in beam at $1,700/st ex-works.
High mill run rates, order backlogs and strong non-residential construction activity have been driving MBQ and beam prices higher so far this year.
Argus assesses MBQ grades monthly on the last working day of the month.
