Prices for domestic and imported merchant bar quality (MBQ) steel in the United States were again flat in July while demand was generally stable and modest gains in sales volumes were seen in some markets.
Fastmarkets' monthly price assessment for steel bar 2 x 2 x 1/4 -inch angle merchant products, fob mill US was $33.80 per hundredweight ($676 per short ton) on Friday July 31, unchanged since April 24. Fastmarkets' assessment for steel merchant bar, loaded truck Port of Houston for immediate delivery was flat at $630-650 per ton on July 31, also unchanged since April 24.Most market participants expect prices to remain steady in the near future. "This product group is one of the most stable and reliable in the pricing realm,"...