-The ability of the price of steel in North America to act in defiance of macro economic conditions and global steel pricing has been highlighted numerous times in this space over the past few weeks. The phenomenon is not a secret and the spread has widened.

-Yet imports have not flooded our market.  Why?  Most believe we’ve reached the crest of the hill on prices domestically and that a correction is likely in the coming 30-60 days. 

-Lead times for imported steel are commonly 90 days +. 

-If buyers are bearish on pricing in October, most would prefer the flexibility of buying steel closer to home.

-With iron ore still seeking a bottom and Chinese coil prices still drifting, the case for lower prices domestically remains solid.