Nucor Hot-Rolled Coil Prices Rise Again in December

Nucor Hot-Rolled Coil Price Increases Continue

Nucor continues its streak of weekly price hikes for hot-rolled coil (HRC), with offers rising $10/t for December 8-14. The current spot price reaches $930 per short ton, the highest since May 2025. California Steel Industries, Nucor’s West Coast joint venture, increased prices to $980/t, reflecting similar upward pressure. Delivery times remain 3-5 weeks, underscoring strong demand and limited immediate availability.

The cumulative increase for U.S. HRC over the past seven weeks totals $55/t for most producers, while CSI’s prices rose $45/t. Market intelligence from SMU indicates the average U.S. HRC price east of the Rockies reached $895/t as of December 2, up $25/t week-on-week. Kallanish reports recent U.S. HRC offers ranging from $880-910/t, compared to $880-900/t previously.

Meanwhile, global trends show mixed performance. The EU and U.S. markets experienced growth in HRC prices amid steady demand and constrained supply. Conversely, China faced downward pressure due to seasonal slowdown and export competition. From October 31 to November 21, U.S. suppliers’ HRC offers increased by 4.1%, reaching $970/t, highlighting the ongoing pricing momentum.

Factors Driving Nucor Hot-Rolled Coil Price Increases

Nucor’s repeated HRC price increases reflect both domestic and global supply-demand dynamics. Rising raw material costs and stable U.S. demand support incremental pricing adjustments. At the same time, limited inventory and multi-week delivery schedules give producers leverage to sustain higher prices.

Regional Impacts and Industry Outlook

Price growth varies by region, with the West Coast seeing stronger HRC increases due to CSI adjustments. In contrast, import competition and slower seasonal demand in China create divergent pricing pressures. U.S. steelmakers benefit from these dynamics, allowing continued profitability despite global volatility. Industry analysts expect similar trends to persist into early 2026.

SuperMetalPrice Commentary:

Nucor’s hot-rolled coil price trajectory signals persistent strength in the U.S. steel sector despite mixed global signals. The seven-week consecutive increase illustrates producers’ ability to pass costs to consumers amid tight supply. Monitoring HRC offers, particularly in regional hubs like California, will be critical for forecasting U.S. steel pricing and potential market adjustments.