Nucor HRC Price Increase Signals Firming U.S. Steel Market

Nucor HRC Price Increase Reflects Improving Demand

Nucor HRC price increase marks the second consecutive weekly rise in early 2025.
The U.S. steelmaker lifted its hot-rolled coil spot price to $965 per short ton.
As a result, market sentiment continues to improve across the domestic steel sector.

The company implemented the new price starting Monday, January 26, 2025.
Meanwhile, order lead times remain steady at three to five weeks.
This stability signals balanced production levels rather than supply-side tightness.

Demand recovery supports the latest Nucor HRC price increase.
End users have gradually returned to the market after a weak late 2024 period.
Therefore, mills now test buyer acceptance for higher pricing.

Regional Premiums Expand After Nucor HRC Price Increase

Nucor also raised prices at California Steel Industries on the U.S. West Coast.
CSI lifted its hot-rolled coil price to $1,015 per short ton.
Consequently, West Coast prices now exceed the national average by a wide margin.

According to Kallanish, U.S. HRC spot prices range between $940 and $955 per ton.
However, Nucor’s offer now sits firmly above that assessed range.
This positioning suggests an effort to establish a new domestic benchmark.

Nucor previously raised HRC prices by $75 per ton during late 2025.
Those increases lasted nine consecutive weeks and reshaped buyer expectations.
Therefore, the latest moves reinforce Nucor’s pricing leadership.

Global Context for U.S. Hot-Rolled Coil Prices

Global HRC markets faced sustained pressure throughout 2025.
Average annual prices declined between five and twelve percent worldwide.
However, the U.S. market diverged with an average annual increase of 11.1 percent.

Strong domestic demand and trade protections supported U.S. pricing resilience.
Meanwhile, overseas steelmakers struggled with excess capacity and weak consumption.
As a result, U.S. mills retained stronger pricing power.

SuperMetalPrice Commentary:

The Nucor HRC price increase highlights cautious optimism across the U.S. steel market.
Stable lead times and firm pricing suggest demand recovery remains sustainable.
If buyers continue accepting higher offers, U.S. HRC prices may trend upward into mid-2025.