Nucor raises HRC prices for the fourth week in a row

American steelmaker Nucor has raised its hot-rolled coil (HRC) prices for the fourth week in a row. According to the company’s regular weekly report, the new spot price for HRC is $975 per short ton, which is $5 more than the previous week. At the same time, delivery terms remain unchanged – within 3-5 weeks.

At the same time, prices for products from the company’s joint venture on the West Coast, California Steel Industries (CSI), have also risen. The spot price of HRC from CSI rose by another $5 to $1,025 per short ton, maintaining a significant price gap between the West Coast and the central regions of the US.

The current dynamics are in line with the general trend in the domestic market. According to the latest Kallanish estimate, the spot price range for HRC in the US has strengthened to $950-965 per short ton. Market participants note that quotations may soon match Nucor’s previous offer of $970/t, indicating a further pullback of market prices towards mill offers.

Quotations are supported by a combination of stable demand from processors and controlled supply from producers. Despite no changes in delivery terms, regular weekly increases by one of the largest steel producers in the US are sending a clear upward price signal for the entire HRC market.

According to traders, in the short term, the US hot-rolled coil market will maintain an upward trend if the current balance of supply and demand remains unchanged and producers continue their disciplined pricing policy.

As reported by GMK Center, global HRC prices rose in most key regions in January 2026. The largest market upturn was recorded in the EU and the US, while China saw only a slight increase in prices after a weak November-December. In North America, product prices rose by 2.4% in January (compared to the end of December) to $1055.5/t ex-works. Prices in the region were at their highest level since April 2025.