(by Kurt Minnich, www.pipe-logix.com) Line pipe prices are lower in November with the Pipe Logix Index down 1% or $19/ton. Prices for import items are 1.4% lower this month while prices for domestic items are 0.6% lower. This is the fourth consecutive month of declines for a cumulative loss of 3.3%, however, compared to a year ago, average line pipe prices are up 24%. The price premium for domestic items over import items has decreased from 46% a year ago to 26% this month. Distributor’s sentiment is lower in November with the NASPD Index at 39, indicating a strongly contracting market. The current reading is down from 45 the previous month and down from the high of 81 in February. Sixty percent of the distributors are currently experiencing lower order volumes and expect prices to be lower in the near-term. Import volumes were lower in September at 142,000 tons, but preliminary data indicates import volumes jumped to 195,000 tons in October. The active rig count continues to make modest gains, up 14 rigs or 1% in November.
Pipe Logix Line Pipe Report – November 2018
Pipe Exchange
14025 West Road
Suite 100
Houston, TX 77041
- Phone: 713.934.9480
- Fax: 713.934.9490
- Email: sales@pipexch.com