Report Period: May 27 – June 3, 2026

📌 Core Insights Snapshot (Full Version Contains 8–10 Detailed Bulletins)

Nucor CSP HRC Rolls Over – 20-Week Streak Pauses. For the first time since January 20, Nucor left its consumer spot price unchanged at $1,095/st**. West Coast CSI declined **$5/st to $1,140/st, and SMU’s price momentum indicator shifted to “neutral” after five months at “higher.” The market is consolidating, not reversing.
US Midwest HRC Slips to $1,070–1,085/st – Largest Weekly Decline Since Rally Began.** The Mysteel index dropped **$20/st while the SMU average fell **$10/st**. Tandem products also eased (CRC –$5, HDG –$5, Plate –$10). Buyer resistance at the peak has been acknowledged.
USMCA at an Impasse – PM Carney Refuses to Negotiate Under Tariff Threats. With the July 1 review deadline four weeks away, Canada’s decision to walk away from joint talks leaves the US-Mexico bilateral track as the only active negotiating channel. Greer demands that Canada and Mexico adopt US Section 232 tariffs.
USITC Delivers Split OCTG Decision – Taiwan & UAE Investigations Terminated. A 3–2 negative injury vote reopens the US market for Taiwanese and Emirati OCTG. The Austrian case proceeds, with a preliminary CVD determination due around June 30.
Baltic Dry Index Sinks to 2,879 – Lowest Since Late March. Capesize rates fell below $20,000/day for the first time since April, pulling freight costs to a two-month low and modestly improving the competitiveness of imported steel.

💰 Price Snapshot (Abbreviated)

Product This Week Trend Source
US Midwest HRC (SMU avg) $1,085/st** ▼ SMU, Jun 2
Nucor CSP HRC **$1,095/st (rolled over)⏸️ Nucor, Jun 1
US Midwest CRC (SMU avg) $1,275/st** ▼ SMU, Jun 2
US Plate (SMU avg) **$1,250/st ▼ SMU, Jun 2
Baltic Dry Index 2,879 ▼ Baltic Exchange, May 29

💡 Sample Actionable Advice

For Procurement Managers:
✅ Use Nucor’s rollover as a negotiation window – lock Q2–Q3 flat-rolled requirements now. The 20-week pause and the Mysteel index decline provide the first meaningful pricing relief since January. Service center inventories remain at five-year lows and spring maintenance outages will constrain supply through Q3, making a significant correction unlikely.

For Export Sales Managers:
✅ Retarget Taiwanese and Emirati OCTG to the US market immediately. The USITC’s negative injury determination has reopened a commercially viable supply channel for the first time since April. Quote CFR US with full Section 232 compliance documentation – duty-free AD/CVD status is your competitive differentiator.

Unlock the Full Report to Access:

Complete pricing tables for HRC, CRC, HDG, Plate, Rebar, OCTG and Billet across the US, Canada, and Mexico
In‑depth analysis of Nucor’s tactical rollover and what it signals for the remainder of Q2
Full breakdown of the USMCA impasse, including scenario analysis for a Canada‑less agreement
Anti‑dumping matrix showing exactly which origins are blocked, which alternatives are viable, and for which specifications and end‑uses
Detailed OCTG decision impact assessment and the new Taiwanese/UAE import window
Week‑on‑week comparison of all key metrics against the prior May 20–27 period
Exclusive “Buy/Sell/Hold” recommendations for 8 product categories

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