While ferrous scrap prices dropped across the board nationally in the monthly trade for September, midwestern mills benefited from a series of operational issues in the area and were able to secure steeper discounts than their neighbors in the southern United States.
As a result of two consecutive corrections, the price for No 1 busheling has dropped by an average $30 per gross ton, while obsolete grade prices have fallen by an average $40-50 per ton in the past two months. In August, prices for prime grades fell by an average $10 per ton and secondary grades fell by an average $20 per ton; September's trade suffered deeper cuts.Market sources remained divided on Monday September 10 as to whether the market has hit the bottom. Many were bearish and contended that there is more steam to come out of market because mills were able to fill their programs even after slashing prices by $30 per ton. One Midwest mill said he was "slammed" with offers and had to turn away tons.And many companies held back tons,...