(by Kurt Minnich, www.pipe-logix.com) Line pipe prices are down 2.4% in April with domestic prices down 2.8% and import prices down 2.1%. All items tracked by Pipe Logix were priced lower for the month except large diameter seamless imports, which increased 1.5%-2.5%. The Pipe Logix Index is now at $1,783/ton, down 11% from the peak in July 2018. The spread between domestic and import items has decreased to $352/ton from more than $500/ton last summer. Distributor’s sentiment continues to languish with the NASPD Index at 40 this month. While the index is the same as the previous month’s score, some components to the index are different with price expectation and order fulfillment degrading while inventory size is improving. Reported tons of supply have eased since the import spike in January but cumulatively volumes still exceed the previous year’s supply by 7%. The rig count is down 4% from the peak in July 2018. Monthly oil price is averaging $63/bbl in April, up from $49.5/bbl in December but down 40% from the 2014 price level. Natural gas price remains below $3/mmbtu, also 40% below the 2014 price level. Hot rolled coiled prices are on par with 2014 prices.
Pipe Logix Line Pipe Report – April 2019
Pipe Exchange
14025 West Road
Suite 100
Houston, TX 77041
- Phone: 713.934.9480
- Fax: 713.934.9490
- Email: sales@pipexch.com