Buyers said they were unfazed by the mills' increase announcements because substrate prices continue to decline and demand has yet to show a strong uptick.
At the same time, the mills attempted to enforce the price rise. Prior to the increase, steelmakers had been loath to cut their selling prices for rolled products that were made using hot-rolled coil that was procured when steel prices were much higher than now.
At least six tube mills - led by Nucor Tubular - raised their prices for hollow structural sections...